Mexico finally extradites drug kingpins

According to the New York Times:
"The Mexican government extradited several top drug kingpins to the United States on Wednesday, signaling a change of heart after the stunning escape of Joaquín Guzmán Loera this summer from the nation’s most secure prison. . . .

 

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The extradition of the men, many of whom had been imprisoned for years in Mexico, is a change in tactics for the government. Since President Enrique Peña Nieto came to power in 2012, his government has adopted more of an arms-length approach to the United States on security co-operation than the previous government did. This has often meant taking a more assertive stance in matters of sovereignty, which has included a reluctance to cede control of prisoners to the United States.

Indeed, just weeks before Mr. Guzmán’s escape from prison, the United States issued a formal request for his extradition. In the immediate aftermath of his escape, as the Mexican government pondered an offer of unconditional help from the Americans, the frustration between the allies grew."