In a stunning reversal, U.S. drops charges against Mexico’s ex-defense chief
By PATRICK J. MCDONNELL, KATE LINTHICUM
NOV. 17, 20204:26 PM
MEXICO CITY — The U.S. government said Tuesday that it was dropping drug trafficking charges against former Mexican Defense Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, a stunning turnaround in a prosecution that had deeply angered Mexican authorities.
The surprise move came a month after the retired general’s Oct. 15 arrest at Los Angeles International Airport.
In a joint statement, Atty. Gen. William Barr and his Mexican counterpart, Alejandro Gertz Manero, said that the U.S. Justice Department would drop the case and that Cienfuegos would face justice under Mexican law.
