The former leaders of the Zetas cartel in Mexico, brothers Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales, were charged in the United States on Friday with offenses such as drug trafficking, firearm possession, and money laundering, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. Known by their aliases “Z-40” and “Z-42,” the Trevino Morales siblings were at the helm of one of Mexico’s most powerful and feared criminal organizations until its downfall. They were part of a group of 29 individuals linked to drug crimes that Mexico extradited to the United States, amidst increasing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to combat drug trafficking.
Miguel and Omar were brought before a court in Washington to face allegations of involvement in a criminal enterprise that included plotting multiple murders, manufacturing and distributing significant amounts of cocaine and marijuana destined for the U.S., using firearms in drug trafficking activities (including a machine gun), and conspiring to launder illicit funds. The Zetas cartel, originally formed by former Mexican special forces deserters known for their brutality, was run by Miguel until his arrest in 2013, after which Omar assumed leadership until his arrest in 2015. Following their captures, the brothers reportedly rebranded the cartel as Cartel del Noreste (CDN) and maintained control while in Mexican custody, the Department of Justice revealed.
The U.S. State Department categorized CDN as a “foreign terrorist organization,” with Washington holding the Trevino Morales brothers personally accountable for numerous murders, as well as orchestrating killings, abductions, and acts of torture. Both Miguel and Omar pleaded not guilty during their court appearance and could potentially face the death penalty if convicted. Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso of ICE Homeland Security Investigations New York condemned the defendants as ruthless cartel leaders who terrorized with impunity and cruelty, driven solely by their pursuit of wealth, power, and dominance.
Additionally, Mexico deported other suspects to the U.S. last month, including Rafael Caro Quintero, sought for the infamous murder of U.S. DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum cautioned against any encroachment on national sovereignty by the U.S., emphasizing a stance of collaboration and coordination between the two countries, rather than subordination or interventionism. Elon Musk, a tech billionaire associated with the Trump administration, suggested on social media that the terrorist designation for cartels could make them susceptible to drone strikes.
In other news, a Connecticut man recounted being held captive by his stepmother for two decades, while the Senate passed a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown. Additionally, hundreds of muscle car drivers rallied in support of a bullied boy in Alabama.
