Release of Mexico's Notorious Drug Chief Osiel Cardenas Sparks Immigration Uncertainty

Osiel Cardenas, former leader of the Gulf Cartel and founder of the Zetas, has been released from a U.S. prison into immigration custody. His future remains uncertain as he could be deported to Mexico, where he faces outstanding charges. His release reignites concerns over the violent tactics he introduced.

One of Mexico's most infamous drug chiefs, Osiel Cardenas, was released from a U.S. prison on Friday and handed over to immigration officials, looming deportation prospects hang in the balance. Cardenas, once at the helm of the Gulf Cartel, is notorious for initiating some of the most brutal violence in the country's history.

Cardenas formed the Zetas, an armed faction of the Gulf Cartel comprised of ex-military special forces. After being captured in a gunfight in 2003 and later extradited to the U.S. in 2007, Cardenas was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010.

The Zetas eventually split and were known as Mexico's most lethal criminal group for a time before their power waned. A spokesperson from the U.S. prison service confirmed Cardenas' release to Reuters, stating he was handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

While Cardenas' deportation to Mexico remains uncertain, an ICE representative mentioned he is in custody pending a final disposition. Anonymous sources indicate the Biden administration may transfer Cardenas to Mexican authorities on Monday, where he faces unresolved charges.

Leo Silva, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent who battled the Zetas in Mexico, criticized Cardenas for inciting terror through extreme violence that plagued Mexico for decades. "He sparked a new era of organized crime marked by fear," Silva commented.

(With inputs from agencies.)