The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org. November 18, 2020 U.S. Drops Charges Against Mexican Ex-Defense Sec. Accused of Drug Trafficking, Rights Abuses --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The U.S. government has agreed to drop all charges against Mexico's former defense secretary, General Salvador Cienfuegos, and to allow for his return to Mexico. Cienfuegos was arrested at a Los Angeles airport in October and indicted on money laundering and drug trafficking charges. He had been accused of working with the Beltrán Leyva Cartel to arrest and torture rivals in exchange for bribes. The Mexican government has not committed to arrest or charge Cienfuegos. He served as defense secretary under former President Enrique Peña Nieto. .