BREAKING NEWS
US files first trade complaint with Mexico under USMCA
Read full article: US files first trade complaint with Mexico under USMCAThe United States has filed its first labor complaint involving Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, after an old-guard union was caught destroying ballots at a General Motors plant in northern Mexico.
Mexico says it wants its ex-officials tried in Mexico
Read full article: Mexico says it wants its ex-officials tried in MexicoRegarding drug traffickers and others whose crimes affect the United States, Ramírez said, “that justifies them being tried in the United States." Roberto Velasco, Mexico’s director general of North American Affairs, said generally, crimes in Mexico would be investigated and prosecuted in Mexico. He was also accused of introducing cartel leaders to other corrupt Mexican officials. That decision came after reports that Mexico had threatened to expel the Drug Enforcement Administration’s regional director and agents. Mexican officials complained that the U.S. failed to share evidence against Cienfuegos and that his arrest came as a surprise.
US dropping case against former Mexican defense secretary
Read full article: US dropping case against former Mexican defense secretaryFILE - In this Sept. 16, 2016 file photo, Defense Secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, left, and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto, salute during the annual Independence Day military parade in Mexico City's main square. The U.S. Justice Department is dropping its drug trafficking and money laundering against former Mexican defense secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)WASHINGTON – The U.S. Justice Department is dropping its drug trafficking and money laundering case against former Mexican Defense Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos, Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday. Barr said the department would drop its case so Cienfuegos “may be investigated and, if appropriate, charged, under Mexican law.” Cienfuegos, who was charged in federal court in Brooklyn, was arrested in Los Angeles last month. Prosecutors alleged he helped the H-2 cartel smuggle thousands of kilos of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana while he was defense secretary in 2012-2018.
Ex-Mexican defense secretary is denied bail on drug charges
Read full article: Ex-Mexican defense secretary is denied bail on drug chargesIn this court artist sketch, former Mexican defense secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda's appears in federal court, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 in Los Angeles. SAN DIEGO – A judge denied bail to Mexico's former defense secretary on Tuesday on charges of helping a Mexican cartel smuggle drugs to the United States in exchange for bribes, casting aside an argument that the retired general wouldn't flee because he was determined to exonerate himself. Lyons said the retired general could post up to $750,000 bail, calling it his life savings. The judge said he wouldn't order a transfer until Friday to allow the retired general time to meet with a Mexican attorney who traveled to Los Angeles. He could face a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years in prison if convicted on the conspiracy charges.
Authorities: Top Mexico official helped smuggle drugs to US
Read full article: Authorities: Top Mexico official helped smuggle drugs to USIn this court artist sketch, former Mexican defense secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda's appears in federal court, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 in Los Angeles. LOS ANGELES – Mexico’s former defense secretary helped a cartel smuggle thousands of kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana into the United States in exchange for bribes, according to court documents unsealed Friday. Mexico authorities don’t identify any drug cartel as H-2, which, according to U.S. officials, was led by Juan Francisco Patrón Sánchez. Garcia Luna, who served under former President Felipe Calderón, has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges. ___This story has been corrected to say Cienfuegos is Mexico’s former defense secretary, not foreign defense secretary.
Ex-official says former Mexico president directed corruption
Read full article: Ex-official says former Mexico president directed corruptionLozoya also accused Pea Nieto and Videgaray of extortion, fraud and embezzlement. But Mexican prosecutors announced they had reached an agreement with Lozoya in which he could avoid jail in return for testifying about corruption in Pea Nietos 2012-2018 administration. In early 2012, Videgaray, who was Pea Nieto's campaign manager, allegedly told Lozoya to request $6 million from Odebrecht and tell the company it would be rewarded when Pea Nieto won. Pea Nietos former chief of staff also did not respond. Lozoya said he was surprised by their level of interest in the deal, and said Pea Nieto and Videgaray negotiated the purchase with the plants owner.
Ex-official says former Mexico president directed corruption
Read full article: Ex-official says former Mexico president directed corruptionLozoya also accused Pea Nieto and Videgaray of extortion, fraud and embezzlement. But Mexican prosecutors announced they had reached an agreement with Lozoya in which he could avoid jail in return for testifying about corruption in Pea Nietos 2012-2018 administration. In early 2012, Videgaray, who was Pea Nieto's campaign manager, allegedly told Lozoya to request $6 million from Odebrecht and tell the company it would be rewarded when Pea Nieto won. Pea Nietos former chief of staff also did not respond. Lozoya said he was surprised by their level of interest in the deal, and said Pea Nieto and Videgaray negotiated the purchase with the plants owner.