Justice ministry denounces Mexico’s decision to close investigation into former defense minister

The Department of Justice (DOJ) condemns the Mexican government for its decision not to file a drug trafficking complaint and subsequently to close the country’s investigation into the former defense minister Salvador Cienfuegos.

According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said Friday evening he was “deeply disappointed” with the decision not to press charges, a decision by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador
publicly supported earlier today.

In a brief statement in response to the ruling, the Justice Department said: “The United States reserves the right to resume proceedings against Cienfuegos if the Mexican government does not.”

Reuters reported that on the instructions of López ObradorThe Mexican Foreign Ministry released a 751-page document containing an archive of US evidence compiled against Cienfuegos, including logs of alleged telephone communications.

A DOJ spokesperson told Reuters the agency was also “deeply disappointed” with the decision to release the information to the public.

“The publication of such information violates the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between Mexico and the United States, and calls into question the ability of the United States to continue to share information to support Mexico’s own criminal investigations,” said the spokesperson.

Cienfuegos, who served as Mexico’s defense secretary between 2012 and 2018, was arrested at Los Angeles airport in October and charged with drug trafficking and money laundering in connection with the powerful cartel of the H-2 drug.

However, the DOJ in November dropped the charges against Cienfuegos and agreed to release him in Mexico after the country opened its own investigation, then attorney general William barrBill Barr Acting Attorney General condemns Capitol riots, warns of violence at Biden Barr inauguration, White House lawyer told Trump not to forgive himself: Trump report condemns riots, says he will focus on transition in recorded remarks MORE said in a statement at the time.

Many have condemned the American decision, including the senator. Bob menendezRobert (Bob) Menendez End-of-year deal creates a Latin American, women’s history museums Lawmakers call for including the establishment of Latin American and women’s history museums in the spending deal end of year Trump offered $ 0 million to victims of terrorism to save Sudan-Israel deal MORE (NJ), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who said in a press release at the time, “After four years of President TrumpCIA chief threatened to resign for pushing to install Trump loyalist as MP: Azar report in departure letter says riot on Capitol Hill threatens to ‘tarnish’ administration achievements Justice Department Says Trump Should Get Trial Immunity For Rape Accusor MOREEmpty boasting of upholding the rule of law, his tenure ends with his administration once again turning a blind eye to the facts and selling the national security interests of the United States.

He added in the statement: “For someone who launched his entire presidency by bringing up xenophobic images of Druglords rampaging along the US-Mexico border, there is no explanation to the attorney general. [William] Barr’s decision to abruptly drop the drug trafficking charges against General Cienfuegos.

Menendez went on to say that with this ruling, “Attorney General Barr risks undermining that confidence in the US justice system and encouraging impunity at the highest levels in Mexico.”

Menendez’s office did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on Friday’s decision from Mexican authorities.