Mexico Has Requested 269 Extraditions from the US Since 2018: None Have Been Fulfilled.

ByArturo Rojas

This article by Arturo Rojas originally appeared in the May 19, 2026 edition of El Economista.

The Mexican government questioned why, despite 269 requests submitted by Mexican authorities to the United States since 2018, no extradition requests have been fulfilled.

During President Claudia Sheinbaum ‘s morning press conference this Tuesday, May 19, External Relations Secretary Roberto Velasco reported that between January 2018 and May 2026, Mexico submitted 269 extradition requests to the United States. Of these, 36 were rejected and 233 remain pending.

He specified that 183 correspond to formal requests and 50 to provisional detentions for extradition purposes.

He also indicated that, of those 50 requests for provisional detention, in 47 cases the US government requested additional information from Mexican authorities.

Among the cases, they said, are files linked to organized crime, operations with resources of illicit origin, human trafficking and the Ayotzinapa case.

Some of the names mentioned were Francisco Javier “N”, linked to corruption and organized crime; Rafael “N”; José Luis “N”; and Pablo “N”, alias “El Transformer”, identified as a member of Guerreros Unidos.

Velasco Álvarez argued that the reviews conducted by both countries are part of a standard legal and judicial process. “Our position is legal and conventional. It is reciprocal and predictable,” he stated.

Regarding extradition procedures between Mexico and the United States, the official explained that the bilateral treaty allows for requests for evidence and additional information at any stage of the process.

Furthermore, he explained that Articles 11 and 12 of the extradition treaty contemplate the possibility of requesting additional information in provisional arrest requests, while Article 9 establishes that neither country is automatically obliged to hand over its nationals.

“We have an obligation to conduct a thorough verification of all elements and arguments before handing over a Mexican national,” the External Relations Secretary stated.

He added that Mexican law also requires clarity on the alleged crimes and the existence of arrest warrants in order to proceed with extradition requests or provisional detention.

For her part, President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that none of the 269 extradition requests made by Mexico have resulted in the handover of individuals sought by Mexican authorities.

“269 extradition requests. How many have been handed over to Mexico? None,” she declared.

The president noted that among the pending cases are investigations considered a priority for Mexico , related to alleged fraudulent invoicing schemes, former governors accused of organized crime, and people linked to the Ayotzinapa case.

Sheinbaum Pardo maintained that the Mexican government is only demanding reciprocity in the bilateral relationship regarding justice and extraditions. “Why haven’t they extradited anyone? These are high-profile cases. There is reciprocity, just so you know,” she stated.