FBI Praises Mexico for Arrest, Handover of ‘Most Wanted’ MS-13 Leader/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Mexican authorities arrested Francisco Javier Román Bardales, a top MS-13 gang leader, and swiftly handed him over to U.S. authorities on Monday. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the international cooperation that led to the arrest in Veracruz. Román Bardales, who faces charges in New York for violent crimes, drug trafficking, and extortion, was one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives. His capture comes amid Mexico’s broader crackdown on criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel.
FBI Praises Mexico for Capture and Handover of MS-13 Leader: Quick Looks
- High-Profile Arrest: Mexican authorities captured Francisco Javier Román Bardales, a senior MS-13 gang figure, in Veracruz on Monday.
- FBI’s ‘Most Wanted’: The U.S. had placed him on its Ten Most Wanted list due to violent crimes, drug trafficking, and extortion.
- Swift Deportation: Mexico quickly transferred Román Bardales to the U.S., where he faces charges in New York.
- FBI Commends Mexico: FBI Director Kash Patel praised the arrest as a major win for law enforcement and public safety.
- Ongoing Crackdown: Mexico has stepped up operations against MS-13, the Sinaloa cartel, and other criminal groups.
- Diplomatic Impact: President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration is cooperating with the Trump administration on security, helping to avoid new U.S. tariffs.
Mexico Captures MS-13 Leader, FBI Applauds Swift U.S. Handover
Mexican Authorities Arrest One of FBI’s ‘Ten Most Wanted’
Mexican security forces and federal agents arrested Francisco Javier Román Bardales, a senior leader of the MS-13 gang, in the mountains of Veracruz on Monday. Within 24 hours, he was deported to the United States to face charges.
Román Bardales was one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives for his role in violent crimes, drug distribution, and extortion in the Eastern District of New York.
FBI Director Kash Patel: ‘A Major Victory’
FBI Director Kash Patel praised Mexico’s cooperation, calling the arrest and transfer a significant achievement in combating transnational crime.
“This is a major victory both for our law enforcement partners and for a safer America,” Patel wrote on social media Tuesday.
Mexico’s Crackdown on Organized Crime
The arrest of Román Bardales comes amid Mexico’s broader effort to dismantle violent criminal networks. In recent weeks, Mexico has:
- Deported 29 cartel members to the U.S., including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the 1985 murder of a DEA agent.
- Increased military operations against the Sinaloa cartel, a major fentanyl trafficker into the U.S.
- Transferred two top MS-13 gang members to El Salvador, aligning with Trump’s mass deportation strategy.
U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation Under Sheinbaum and Trump
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has prioritized strong security ties with the Trump administration, helping to prevent U.S. trade penalties by showing commitment to law enforcement efforts.
“Mexico is proving to be a reliable partner,” a U.S. official told Reuters, noting Mexico’s recent crackdowns on organized crime and illegal migration.
With Trump’s policies focused on deportations and border security, Mexico’s actions may strengthen diplomatic ties while also addressing domestic security concerns.
What’s Next?
Román Bardales is now in U.S. custody and will face prosecution in New York. Meanwhile, Mexico continues its military-led crackdown on criminal networks, signaling ongoing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.
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