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Former Mexican Defense Chief Arrested at US Airport


FILE - Mexico's then-Defense Minister General Salvador Cienfuegos addresses an audience at an event in Mexico City, Mexico, July 12, 2017.
FILE - Mexico's then-Defense Minister General Salvador Cienfuegos addresses an audience at an event in Mexico City, Mexico, July 12, 2017.

Former Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos was arrested Thursday night on drug and money laundering charges at Los Angeles International Airport.

Cienfuegos, who led Mexico’s armed forces under then-President Enrique Peña Nieto, was detained at the U.S airport with members of his family, who were released.

The former Mexican military leader was reportedly detained on a warrant from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Mexico’s foreign minister confirmed the arrest in a tweet late Thursday.

The DEA has not spoken publicly about the circumstances surrounding Cienfuegos' arrest.

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