After serving a 14-year sentence in the United States, notorious drug lord Osiel Cárdenas Guillén has been repatriated to Mexico. Cárdenas Guillén, who once led the feared Gulf cartel in northeastern Mexico, was quickly re-arrested upon his return and is now facing drug, organized crime, and money-laundering charges in his home country.
The U.S. Homeland Security Department confirmed Cárdenas Guillén's return on Monday, stating that he had completed most of his 25-year prison sentence in the U.S. as a Mexican citizen. He was taken into custody immediately upon arrival in Mexico and is now being held at the high-security Altiplano prison near Mexico City.
Photos released by Homeland Security Investigations show a visibly changed Cárdenas Guillén, appearing paunchy, balding, and bespectacled, being escorted by officers in protective gear. This image is a stark contrast to his previous reputation for violence and brutality in Mexico.
As the former head of the Gulf cartel, Cárdenas Guillén was known for his involvement in drug trafficking and the creation of the ruthless Zetas gang, responsible for numerous acts of violence, including the killing of migrants and innocent civilians. Operating primarily in the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros, he amassed significant wealth through the trafficking of cocaine.
The return of Osiel Cárdenas Guillén has reignited concerns about the impact of his presence in Mexico and the potential repercussions for law enforcement efforts in the region. Authorities are now focused on ensuring that he faces justice for his alleged crimes and that his influence is contained.
For more updates on developments in Latin America and the Caribbean, visit AP's Latin America and Caribbean coverage.
