The United States has filed its first labor complaint involving Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, after an old-guard union was caught destroying ballots at a General Motors plant in northern Mexico.

Regarding drug traffickers and others whose crimes affect the United States, Ramírez said, “that justifies them being tried in the United States." Roberto Velasco, Mexico’s director general of North American Affairs, said generally, crimes in Mexico would be investigated and prosecuted in Mexico. He was also accused of introducing cartel leaders to other corrupt Mexican officials. That decision came after reports that Mexico had threatened to expel the Drug Enforcement Administration’s regional director and agents. Mexican officials complained that the U.S. failed to share evidence against Cienfuegos and that his arrest came as a surprise.

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2016 file photo, Defense Secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, left, and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto, salute during the annual Independence Day military parade in Mexico City's main square. The U.S. Justice Department is dropping its drug trafficking and money laundering against former Mexican defense secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)WASHINGTON – The U.S. Justice Department is dropping its drug trafficking and money laundering case against former Mexican Defense Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos, Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday. Barr said the department would drop its case so Cienfuegos “may be investigated and, if appropriate, charged, under Mexican law.” Cienfuegos, who was charged in federal court in Brooklyn, was arrested in Los Angeles last month. Prosecutors alleged he helped the H-2 cartel smuggle thousands of kilos of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana while he was defense secretary in 2012-2018.

In this court artist sketch, former Mexican defense secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda's appears in federal court, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 in Los Angeles. SAN DIEGO – A judge denied bail to Mexico's former defense secretary on Tuesday on charges of helping a Mexican cartel smuggle drugs to the United States in exchange for bribes, casting aside an argument that the retired general wouldn't flee because he was determined to exonerate himself. Lyons said the retired general could post up to $750,000 bail, calling it his life savings. The judge said he wouldn't order a transfer until Friday to allow the retired general time to meet with a Mexican attorney who traveled to Los Angeles. He could face a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years in prison if convicted on the conspiracy charges.

LOS ANGELES – Mexico’s former defense secretary helped smuggle thousands of kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana into the United States in exchange for bribes, according to court documents unsealed Friday. Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, 72, acted on behalf of the H-2 cartel while defense secretary from 2012 to 2018 under former President Enrique Pena Nieto, authorities said. Thousands of intercepted Blackberry messages show the general ensured military operations were not conducted against the cartel and that operations were initiated against rivals, according to prosecutors. Cienfuegos allegedly introduced cartel leaders to other corrupt Mexican officials. Cienfuegos was indicted by a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York on Aug. 14, 2019.

Lozoya also accused Pea Nieto and Videgaray of extortion, fraud and embezzlement. But Mexican prosecutors announced they had reached an agreement with Lozoya in which he could avoid jail in return for testifying about corruption in Pea Nietos 2012-2018 administration. In early 2012, Videgaray, who was Pea Nieto's campaign manager, allegedly told Lozoya to request $6 million from Odebrecht and tell the company it would be rewarded when Pea Nieto won. Pea Nietos former chief of staff also did not respond. Lozoya said he was surprised by their level of interest in the deal, and said Pea Nieto and Videgaray negotiated the purchase with the plants owner.

Lozoya also accused Pea Nieto and Videgaray of extortion, fraud and embezzlement. But Mexican prosecutors announced they had reached an agreement with Lozoya in which he could avoid jail in return for testifying about corruption in Pea Nietos 2012-2018 administration. In early 2012, Videgaray, who was Pea Nieto's campaign manager, allegedly told Lozoya to request $6 million from Odebrecht and tell the company it would be rewarded when Pea Nieto won. Pea Nietos former chief of staff also did not respond. Lozoya said he was surprised by their level of interest in the deal, and said Pea Nieto and Videgaray negotiated the purchase with the plants owner.