By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
Mexican federal authorities arrested "El Cherrys, the third in command of the Gulf Cartel Metros faction during a security operation in Reynosa, Tamaulipas earlier this week.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Kristel León Galaz, Wife of Güero Reyna, Is Arrested
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Video translation is as follows:
In Mexico, a land of surgical operations and deafening silences, the war against organized crime has found a new front: the inner circle of the operators who pull the strings from the shadows.
Today is Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and while the country tries to process the violence that has given us a respite, a capture in the mountains of Sinaloa reminds us that for the state, no corner is too remote, nor family too protected, when it comes to striking at Mayo's mob structure.
In the early hours of Monday, in the community of Los Vasitos, an area where the Sinaloa mountains become complicit with those fleeing justice, members of the National Guard and the Mexican Army carried out a raid that left no room for resistance.
The target was not an armed commander with assault rifles, but a key figure in the logistical support network of the faction historically led by the Zambada family.
Kristel León Galaz
This is Kristel León Galaz, identified by intelligence agencies as the romantic partner of Ramiro Baltazar Félix Eras, better known in the criminal underworld as "El Gerero Reina" or "F1." Is this the state's new tactic?
Going after those with close ties to the drug lords when they seem invisible deep in the mountains. León Galaz's arrest isn’t an isolated event. Security reports place her as a key part of the network that facilitates the movement of her partner, a high-level logistics operator in charge of overseeing trafficking routes and managing security zones on the outskirts of Culiacán.
The "Los Vasitos" area, located in the Las Tapias district, is recognized on federal risk maps as an operational stronghold of La Mayiza. The fact that the operation took place there, in the heart of enemy territory, and that it ended with a swift transfer to Mexico City, speaks to an intelligence operation that had been in the works for weeks.
The National Registry of Detentions confirmed the capture on Monday morning under a security detail reminiscent of the transfers of major drug lords. León Galaz was presumably taken to the facilities of the Specialized Anti-Drug Force (FEND), although the specific charges are being handled with the secrecy typical of these cases.
Suspicion points to operations involving illicit funds and organized crime. What is striking about this operation is what didn't happen: there were no anarchist roadblocks, no large-scale confrontation, no violent reaction that set fire to the highways connecting to Culiacán.
It was a silent operation, a clean extraction that leaves El Güero Reyna without his closest support network and with the clear message that institutional surveillance has reached the inner sanctums of the mountains. But while silence was the norm in the mountains, in the state capital, the reality was very different.
That same Monday, the Valle Alto neighborhood of Culiacán became the scene of a show of force that reminds us why Sinaloa remains the epicenter of national attention.
Thanks to an anonymous tip to the 089 hotline, a tool that seems to be the last refuge for a citizenry that can no longer endure the violence, forces from all three levels of government neutralized seven heavily armed men. The inventory of items seized in a house in this residential area paints a picture of a war being waged in the streets.
Seven rifles, two handguns, 42 magazines, and more than 1000 rounds of ammunition. Among the confiscated items was a factory-armored vehicle, ready to withstand an attack on any main avenue. Seven men with 1200 bullets in a residential area. Who sleeps soundly tonight in Culiacán, knowing that your neighbor could have an arsenal sufficient to sustain a half-hour firefight?
The operation, led by the army in coordination with the Navy and the National Guard, ended with the securing of the property and the transfer of the detainees to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office. Once again, citizen participation is doing the work that prevention efforts cannot, revealing that upscale areas in Culiacán continue to be the preferred hideouts for criminal cells.
And if you thought the security crisis was limited to the northeast, the Mexican southeast is raising its hand to remind us that territorial control is a rather relative concept. From Villahermosa, Tabasco, come reports of a weekend that reads like a chronicle of social decay.
Between last Friday and Sunday, the Olmeca Interinstitutional Tactical Reaction Force carried out a massive deployment across the state's 17 municipalities, uncovering a criminal network that combines human trafficking with the trafficking of exotic species and fuel theft.
The outcome is striking. 27 people were arrested, including a high-priority target identified as Omar N., alias "La Parca" (The Reaper), captured in the municipality of Paraíso. La Parca was found not only in possession of drugs and vehicles, but also a tactical vest and materials bearing threatening messages.
This is the calligraphy of terror that criminal groups use to mark their territory. But the most profound horror was found in the operation where five members who had been held captive were rescued.
In that same location, authorities arrested a man named Víctor N., who trafficked not only in people's hopes, but also in wildlife. He was in possession of at least 10 monkeys. While official speeches speak of a secure southern border, in Tabasco, monkeys and migrants were rescued in the same operation.
Such is the scale of priorities for those who profit from vulnerability. The operation in Tabasco was not limited to arrests. It dealt a blow to the financial structure that sustains these gangs. Nearly 1,000 doses of drugs, 22 firearms, and almost 19,000 liters of illegally obtained liquefied petroleum gas were seized.
Ramiro Baltazar Félix Eras, aka "El Gerero Reina" or "F1."
Gas theft, an open wound in the national economy, continues to fuel violence in municipalities like Cárdenas, where 19 of the 27 arrests were made. In Centla, law enforcement arrived with search warrants that shut down businesses operating under the guise of legality: a gas station, a shopping center, and a recreational center in the El Triunfo ranchería.
These properties are under investigation as suspected financial centers for organized crime. It is dirty money attempting to launder itself in the daily lives of Tabasco families.
And in Cárdenas, the discovery of uniforms with insignia of a criminal group and tactical patches confirms that these organizations are not simply criminal gangs, but rather structures that seek to impersonate authorities to sow panic. Even children aren’t not immune to this spiral.
In the municipality of Centro, a minor was arrested with doses of marijuana and crystal meth, a backpack, and a cell phone. They are used as cannon fodder, as the weakest and most replaceable link in a chain of command that, with the capture of El Güero Reyna's wife in Sinaloa, seems to be under constant siege.
From the Sierra Sinaloense to the Tabasco swamp, the panorama of what happened on March 9th shows us a state that reacts, that strikes, and that secures, but that always seems to be one step behind the criminal mutation.
The romantic partner of an operator is captured to destabilize logistics, but in Culiacán, the armored vehicles remain hidden in garages in the Valle Alto neighborhood. Migrants and monkeys are rescued in Tabasco, but gas stations and shopping centers have been used for months to inject resources into organized crime.
The arrest of Kristel León Galaz is a direct message to the Zambada family. There are no more exclusion zones. The operation in Los Vasitos demonstrates that the army can enter and leave the heart of the community without firing a shot, but with a trophy that hurts more than a combat casualty, the arrest of their own members.
However, the fundamental question remains: are we witnessing the real dismantling of support networks or simply a change of pieces on a board where the players have infinite resources?
Here we will continue documenting this low-intensity war being waged in bedrooms, on the roads, and in family businesses. Because when the state decides to go after the wives and the logistics operators, it means the strategy has shifted.
Tomorrow we will see if this blow in Los Vasitos brings with it the much-feared backlash or if the silence of the community is just the prelude to a move we have yet to anticipate.
Blood, Hex and Money
El Armadillo for Borderland Beat
This piece does not come from formal reporting. It comes from personal curiosity and from years of natural conversation with believers, people from my own life, communities I have moved through. The witch is a familiar figure in Mexican and Mexican-American communities across the American Southwest. If you grow up around this, or spend enough time around people who did, you accumulate a working knowledge without ever setting out to.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Fourteen Suspected Hitmen Arrested With Rifles, Fentanyl, and Armored Vehicles in Two Operations in Culiacán
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Federal agents arrested 14 suspected hitmen in two separate operations in Culiacán, seizing rifles, armored vehicles, fentanyl, and other drug paraphernalia.
In the first operation, seven men were arrested at a residence in the Valle Alto neighborhood after authorities launched a major operation following a report of armed civilians.
The following items were seized:
7 civilians arrested.
1 armored vehicle, not reported stolen.
7 rifles.
2 handguns.
42 magazines.
1,260 rounds of ammunition.
3 tactical vests.
6 ballistic plates.
Various tactical equipment.
1 property secured.
Two women among those arrested
In a separate incident, federal agents raided three properties in Culiacán, Sinaloa, arresting five men and two women. They were found in possession of firearms, fentanyl pills, and other drug paraphernalia.
The items seized:
7 civilians arrested.
3 firearms.
2 vehicles.
3 magazines.
90 rounds of ammunition.
600 fentanyl pills.
3 properties.
Cash.
The 14 suspected criminals arrested and the drug paraphernalia seized in the two operations were turned over to the Attorney General's Office (FGR) for further investigation and to determine responsibility.
The Valle Alto neighborhood of Culiacán, Sinaloa.
Source: Luz Noticias
Mexican Navy Seizes Two Tons of Cocaine Off the Coast of Acapulco
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Let’s move on to security issues. Around 2 tons of cocaine were seized off the coast of Acapulco.
Members of the navy secured several packages containing the illegal substance in an operation involving aircraft, an ocean patrol boat, and a vessel. In response, the US ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, acknowledged the effort and the operation.
On his social media account, he said that it shows what we can achieve when we cooperate and share information in the fight against cartels. Yes, the ship arrived in Acapulco with the seizure.
Source: Milenio
Monday, March 9, 2026
"We've Said No": Sheinbaum Responds to Trump; Rules Out US Military Intervention in Mexico
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Sheinbaum affirmed that Mexico will continue to say "no" to US military intervention, although it maintains intelligence cooperation on security matters
During the "Morning Press Conference" this Monday, March 9, 2026, held in the Gustavo A. Madero (GAM) borough, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo responded to the new and controversial statements by her US counterpart, Donald Trump, who asserted that Mexico is the "epicenter of drug cartel violence."
The head of the Mexican Federal Executive reiterated that her government has rejected the proposal to allow the entry of the US military to combat drug trafficking in Mexican territory; She also affirmed that her administration maintains a firm stance on national sovereignty.
"It's good that President Trump publicly states that he has proposed the deployment of the U.S. military to Mexico, we have said no, because it's the truth. We have said no, and we proudly continue to say no," the president stated, referring to the possibility of U.S. military forces operating in Mexico.
In the same address, the Mexican president explained that the Federal Government does maintain coordination with the U.S. on security matters, although she emphasized that operations within the country are the exclusive responsibility of Mexican authorities. She detailed that bilateral cooperation is primarily focused on intelligence sharing and other security-related activities, but without permitting direct actions by foreign forces.
Sheinbaum clarified that operations against organized crime in Mexico are carried out by "the Armed Forces, or the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC); the National Guard, or state police and prosecutors' offices. So, indeed, we have said no." And we have made progress; tomorrow you will see the security results, and we must continue to make progress in these areas.”
She also announced that security results will be presented this Tuesday, March 10, noting that her administration continues working to advance in this area.
Trump claims Mexico is the “epicenter of cartel violence”
Sheinbaum’s statements come after Republican businessman Donald Trump asserted that Mexico is the epicenter of drug-related violence in the region. The US president made these remarks during the inauguration of the Latin American Leaders Summit, dubbed “Shield of the Americas,” held in Miami, an event attended by more than a dozen male Latin American leaders.
During his speech, Trump maintained that “as part of our commitment to counter the presence of cartels in the region, we must recognize that the epicenter of cartel violence is Mexico.”
Despite his criticism, the US president also referred to his counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum as "a very good person" and mentioned that she has "a beautiful voice."
It's worth recalling that, previously, Trump had raised the possibility of bombing drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, a stance that has generated debate about security
Source: Tribuna
Saturday, March 7, 2026
CJNG Gunman Arrested with Recruitment Posters In Paraíso, Tabasco
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
A CJNG gunman was arrested by the military after they responded to reports of shots being fired at the Refinería Olmeca in Paraíso, Tabasco. Authorities found several firearms and two recruitment posters.
Friday, March 6, 2026
Cartel Attacks Police Base with Carbomb in Luis Moya, Zacatecas
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
A criminal group detonated a car bomb outside the Municipal Police headquarters in Luis Moya, Zacatecas yesterday leaving three officers injured.
El Burro, the Armed Wing of Los Chapos, Falls in Baja California Sur
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
The leader of the “Los Burros” (Chapos) cell was captured in Puerto San Carlos, Comondú municipality. He is one of those responsible for confronting “Los Venados” (Mayos) in the Northern Zone.
In a coordinated operation between federal and state forces comprising the Security Council, the capture of a high-priority target operating in northern Baja California Sur for the Sinaloa Cartel, specifically for “Los Chapos,” was confirmed.
The arrest is of Francisco “N,” alias “El Burro,” the armed wing of the cell identified as “Los Burros,” which operates in the Northern Zone, primarily in the community of Guerrero Negro, Mulegé municipality.
His capture occurred on the night of Thursday, March 5, in the town of Puerto San Carlos, Comondú municipality, following a surveillance and crime prevention operation by members of the Mexican Navy and the Municipal Police, who intercepted a black pickup truck.
The crew members displayed aggressive behavior and insulted the officers, leading to their initial arrest for disturbing the peace. However, upon verifying their information at the Public Security facilities, the identity of one of the detainees was confirmed. He had an outstanding arrest warrant for aggravated kidnapping.
Unofficial information confirmed that the man is Francisco Javier Ibarra Romo, alias “El Burro,” identified as the leader of the criminal cell “Los Burros,” based in Guerrero Negro. According to intelligence reports, this group is actively fighting in the northern part of the state to prevent the “Los Mayos” faction from gaining control of the territory.
In addition to the capture of one of the main instigators of violence in the region, the State Security Council, made up of the Navy, Army, National Guard, Attorney General's Office and the State Attorney General's Office, reiterated that joint operations will continue permanently to try to capture other priority targets in the 5 municipalities.
Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur
The distance between Puerto San Carlos and the Comondú municipality.
Source: Zeta Tijuana
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Junior: A Son of the Gulf Cartel
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Inside the Gaming Servers Where Cartel Culture Thrives
El Armadillo for Borderland Beat
The spawn base in Arma Reforger was the usual, players assembling loadouts, choosing vehicles, customizing their outfits, talking trash. Then somewhere in the noise, two players drifted toward each other off to the side in Spanish.
The Chapiza - CJNG Alliance Captured and Kill a Member of Los Flechas
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
How fucked up is that to have to see some big-gut midget on a phone call walk around nonchalantly in the background while you’re being interrogated by your captors?
Even worse still is that your right ear gets sliced off and you’re forced to appear on film naked from the waist down.
Had you been shot to death in front of everyone, that conclusion to your life wouldn’t look so bad. What we get instead are the assassins who force you to say things against your will.
Followed by a decent sized knife that’s thrust into your solar plexus. Under the best of circumstances, that would’ve been that. But that stabbing has caused some innards to suddenly spill out.
And as if to complement that evil that’s already underway, the enforcer takes the time to slice that off as well.
Escuinapa, Sinaloa
Source: Informante Sinaloa
US & Ecuador Carry Out Joint Military Operations Targeting FARC Dissident Camp
"Socalj" for Borderland Beat
The United States and Ecuador conducted joint military operations against "designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador," U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced on Tuesday.
This is the first time, officially, that the U.S. military has engaged in a land combat operation against South American drug cartels and gangs since the 1980s.
Recently, the U.S. military had only carried out airstrikes targeting smuggling boats in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean killing a total of 152 alleged traffickers.
This is the first time, officially, that the U.S. military has engaged in a land combat operation against South American drug cartels and gangs since the 1980s.
Recently, the U.S. military had only carried out airstrikes targeting smuggling boats in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean killing a total of 152 alleged traffickers.
Monday, March 2, 2026
While CJNG Retaliation Ends, Small Attacks Continue in Guadalajara
By “El Huaso” for Borderland Beat
While initial CJNG retaliations for the killing of El Mencho in a security operation across Mexico have subsided, CJNG members continue to lash out in Guadalajara, though at a reduced pace and intensity.
Last night, a group of young men attacked the Oxxo corner store on the corner of Luis Pérez Verdía and Justo Sierra streets in the Arcos Vallarta neighborhood of Guadalajara. The men broke the glass windows and threw molotov cocktails, burning the store. Two employees were at the store but were not injured. The assailants fled on motorcyles.
Also that night, a vehicle was burned on the Laureles amd Paseo del Nopal streets in the Mesa de los Ocotes neighborhood.
Yesterday, a short shootout erupted between police and armed men by the Glorieta Colón, in colonia Italia Providencia. Locals also reported the criminals deployed tire spikes.
The events are far less severe in impact and scale than the initial outbreak of violence, but they threaten the return to normalcy in the Guadalajara region.
On February 22–23, the CJNG demonstrated the capability to conduct mass disruption operations across the city of Guadalajara and much of Mexico, disperse during daylight hours, and re-emerge at night once security patrols ceased. The attacks were typical of criminal strategy over the last twenty years, where criminals launch large-scale retaliatory violence for operations against their leadership.
A Chapiza Member is Forced To Speak Ill of His Counterparts
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Assassins under the command of Mayito Flaco force a Chapiza member to curse his organization. To add fuel to the fire a fixed blade knife is used to carve the MF initials across his stomach.
There’s nothing quite like saying, “Fuck your team,” more than being carved up by the opposition while alive.
At this time it is believed that the captive was killed soon after this horrific ordeal. But if, on the off chance, he survived, the scars on his body serve as a reminder as to why he was sliced up.
Source: Anonymous
