### AMLO Uncertain on U.S. Extradition of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén
**By Carlos Álvarez Acevedo – September 3, 2024**
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador acknowledged on September 3, 2024, that he does not have information on whether the United States will extradite Osiel Cárdenas Guillén to Mexico. Cárdenas Guillén, the 57-year-old former leader and founder of the Gulf Cartel, was recently released from the high-security prison in Terre Haute, Indiana after serving a 25-year sentence for drug trafficking, money laundering, and extortion of U.S. federal agents.
During his morning press conference at the National Palace, López Obrador stated that there was communication with U.S. authorities but no definitive information on the extradition matter. He urged the Mexican Attorney General’s Office (FGR) to provide more details on the situation.
Cárdenas Guillén, identified by the Bureau of Prisons with inmate number 62604-079, was released on July 1, 2024. His future in Mexico remains uncertain, and the FGR is expected to clarify his legal status and any potential actions Mexico might take.
### Background on Osiel Cárdenas Guillén
Born on May 18, 1967, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén is one of the notorious figures in Mexico’s criminal landscape. He was initially imprisoned in Florence ADMAX, Colorado, starting in 2010, following his 2007 extradition to the United States after facing 19 charges in a Houston federal court.
Cárdenas Guillén pleaded guilty in 2009 to drug trafficking, money laundering, and extortion, leading to a reduced 25-year imprisonment and a $50 million fine. Before his downfall, he took over the Gulf Cartel after the 1996 arrest of Juan García Abrego, further militarizing the cartel by recruiting ex-special forces known as Los Zetas.
A 2017 investigation by The Dallas Morning News highlighted the intense violence following Cárdenas Guillén’s plea deal, leading to deadly confrontations between the Gulf Cartel and the now-independent Los Zetas group, affecting thousands along the Mexico-Texas border. Meanwhile, the DEA noted that under Cárdenas Guillén, the Gulf Cartel extended its operations from marijuana and cocaine to heroin and methamphetamine distribution across major U.S. cities.
### Further Developments
**Reported by Additional Sources**
**U.S.-Mexico Negotiations on Drug Kingpin’s Extradition Continue**
Experts speculate that the extradition of high-profile criminals like Cárdenas Guillén involves complex negotiations between U.S. and Mexican authorities, often influenced by broader bilateral cooperation agreements.
**Impact of Cárdenas Guillén’s Release on Mexican Cartel Dynamics**
Analysts warn that the release of Cárdenas Guillén could potentially destabilize the already fragile balance among Mexican drug cartels. His return might spark power struggles within the Gulf Cartel or trigger renewed conflicts with rival factions.
**Public and Political Reactions**
Public and political reactions in Mexico have been mixed, with some fearing an increase in violence and others advocating for bringing Cárdenas Guillén to justice on Mexican soil. Lawmakers are calling for transparency and stringent measures to handle his return.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for more updates on this developing story.