Trump Admin Celebrated The Prosecution Of Accused MS-13 Ringleader. Then The Case Fell Apart Twice

August 24, 2026 1:58 PM ET The Trump administration failed to convict a high-ranking member of the MS-13 drug gang twice after having extradited him to the U.S. to face a Washington court at the beginning of the president’s second term.The defendant, Moises “Viejo Santos” Rivera-Luna, who had been charged with racketeering conspiracy, was extradited from Guatemala to the United States. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Rivera-Luna’s extradition in March 2025, saying in part, “the decade-long pursuit of this alleged violent gang member illustrates our office’s resolve to remain focused and bring to justice those who violate the law no matter where they are, no matter how long it takes.”Guatemala extradites high-ranking MS-13 gang leader to face racketeering charges in U.S. following