United States to turn over “El Güero” Palma to Mexican authorities

News reports have alluded to Mexican authorities’ efforts to detain and prosecute Hector Luis “El Güero” Palma Salazar, based on previous charges that still might be pending. On Thursday June 9 the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City released the following press statement about Palma’s legal status:

Hector Luis “El Güero” Palma Salazar is scheduled to be released from the United States Bureau of Prisons in the coming days.  Palma will be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is coordinating with Mexican officials his direct return to Mexican authorities.

Palma was arrested by Mexican authorities in 2002 on a U.S.-issued Provisional Arrest Warrant, and served five years in a Mexican prison under that warrant while his extradition to the United States was being processed, in accordance with the 1978 Mexico-U.S. Extradition Treaty.  After extradition, Palma pleaded guilty before a United States court and was sentenced to 16 years for transporting 50 kilos of cocaine.


Under U.S. Federal sentencing practices, the five years Palma spent in a Mexican prison counted as time served under the U.S. sentence.  As part of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons system-wide incentive scheme for good behavior, Palma was scheduled for release after having served 85% of his sentence.

The United States and Mexico enjoy strong cooperation in security, including a healthy extradition relationship under our robust bilateral extradition treaty.  The U.S. government is committed to continuing to strengthen this relationship.

For further questions regarding Palma’s sentence or release, we refer you to the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. or to the Bureau of Prisons.

The Yucatan Times