RE: So, why pay El Salvador for MS-13 then and not put them

Posted on: August 13, 2025 at 21:05:47 CT

Strengthening law enforcement efforts: Extradition allows the US to prosecute cartel leaders under its legal system, which may offer more robust mechanisms for investigations, witness protection, and securing convictions. This also allows for the potential for valuable intelligence gathering and cooperation from the accused for lighter sentences in the US.

Combating drug trafficking: Mexican cartels are the primary source of illegal drugs entering the United States, including highly addictive fentanyl, says the Council on Foreign Relations. Extradition is considered a vital tool to disrupt the operations of these organizations and reduce the flow of drugs across the border.
Weakening cartel leadership and influence: By extraditing cartel leaders, both countries aim to disrupt command and control structures, creating instability within the organizations and potentially hindering their operations. Mexico also recognizes that wealthy drug bosses can continue to exert control and run their businesses from within Mexican prisons, making extradition to the US a way to limit their influence, according to Eduardo Guerrero, a Mexican security analyst, according to MSN.