The Disappearance of Young People is Increasing in Río Bravo

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The number easily exceeds 200 people of different ages, mainly young men and women, in Río Bravo.

The number of people reported missing is unfortunately growing, and their personal information and photographs, which are becoming increasingly numerous, are being displayed in the corridors of the People's House.

The number easily exceeds 200 people of various ages, mainly young men and women, from the local area and surrounding municipalities, mostly from Reynosa and Matamoros, among others.

In some cases, based on information provided by their families, who are seeking help from the general public, they have been reported missing for several months; in other cases, for years.  These are people who left their homes and never returned or were seen again, and their families are still searching for them.

In the state, according to reports from the Lupa Network, as of May 2025, there are 13,468 people registered as missing, placing the state as the third with the most cases in the country, with the majority concentrated in the neighboring city of Reynosa.

Río Bravo, Tamaulipas 

Source: El Mañana

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Mexican Style Crime - Five Severed Heads with Narco Banner Left at Beach in Manabí, Ecuador

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Five severed heads were left next to a narco banner threatening a criminal group in the beach town of Puerto López, Ecuador. The public display of violence, typical in Mexico, has become increasingly common in conflict zones in Ecuador in recent years as Ecuadorian criminal groups have adopted the tactics of Mexican criminal organizations.

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Gabriel Alonso, a Minor Who Was a Victim of the Confrontation on the Durango-Zacatecas Highway, Has Been Laid to Rest

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

On Monday, a posthumous tribute was held for high school student Gabriel Alonso, who died last week after being struck by a stray bullet in an attack by organized crime in the town of La Constancia, in the municipality of Nombre de Dios, Durango.

La Constancia is located about 51 kilometers from Durango City.

According to El Siglo de Durango, his mother, Beatriz Herrera, lamented his death and blamed "evil" for taking his life during the tribute at the José Vasconcelos High School.

At the ceremony, students, teachers, and school staff remembered the 12-year-old boy for his joy and love of soccer. One of his teachers described him as "a boy full of life, with beautiful eyes."

As part of honoring the boy's memory, a roll call was taken, and then the students released white balloons into the sky.

Herrera rejected the idea that her son's death was due to God's will and instead blamed the insecurity in Durango, which makes it impossible to travel without fearing for the lives of one's children. The woman also reported that instead of receiving support, she has been harassed by the authorities.

Gabriel Alonso's funeral was held on January 8th at the Durango Cathedral, after he died on a stretch of the Durango-Zacatecas highway during a confrontation between armed civilians and the National Guard.

The family was receiving assistance due to a mechanical failure when the officers were attacked.

Imagen Televisión reported that the minor and a National Guard officer, identified as Juan Ramírez, lost their lives in the confrontation that occurred on January 6th, Three Kings' Day.

La Constancia, Durango 

Source: El Siglo de Torreón

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Bedolla Attributes Roadblocks in Tierra Caliente to Criminal Groups

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Roadblocks in the Tierra Caliente region are attributed to criminal groups, according to the governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla. The security strategy remains unchanged.

Following the discovery yesterday of six murdered individuals in the municipality of Apatzingán, the governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, declined to confirm whether the victims were among those kidnapped in Buenavista, stating that the matter is under investigation by the State Attorney General's Office (FGE).

During his press conference this Tuesday, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said: “This is a matter for the Attorney General's Office; I wouldn't want to offer any opinion on it,” although he acknowledged having preliminary information, but stressed that the expert analyses and investigations are still underway because the events occurred just the day before.

The governor was questioned about the roadblocks reported in the Tierra Caliente region, particularly in Apatzingán and surrounding areas, after which he affirmed that these types of actions are usually linked to criminal organizations.

“Normally, these demonstrations are carried out by criminal groups; they call these people their ‘social base,’ individuals who are paid to generate unrest,” he said, adding that sometimes these mobilizations seek to demand the withdrawal of federal forces.

“Then they demand the withdrawal of the Army, but that's not going to happen,” he added, confirming that the Armed Forces maintain a permanent presence in the region.

He explained that there is a coordinated deployment of various law enforcement agencies in Tierra Caliente.

“The base of the 43rd Military Zone is located in Apatzingán, and there is an intense deployment led by the National Defense Secretariat, the National Guard, the Federal Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection, and the State Civil Guard,” he reiterated.

Although he avoided drawing conclusions about the homicides, the governor clarified that the security strategy in the region remains unchanged and with a reinforced military presence.

Apatzingán, Michoacán

Source: Contramuro

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Six Members of the Aragua Train Gang Arrested in Mexico City; Among Them a Financial Operator and a Woman with Links to La Unión Tepito

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The individuals are linked to crimes of extortion, human trafficking and drug trafficking, according to Omar García Harfuch.

Six members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization were arrested in Mexico City as a result of intelligence and investigative work.

Omar García Harfuch, head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), indicated that the individuals are linked to extortion, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

'Lesli', a liaison with La Unión Tepito and sex trafficker

Authorities conducted raids on two residences in the Valle Gómez neighborhood of the Venustiano Carranza borough, where they arrested Lesli Valeri 'N', alias Lesli.

The 40-year-old woman is identified as being responsible for collecting payments from members of the Tren de Aragua derived from sexual exploitation; she also acted as a negotiator between this criminal group and La Unión Tepito, and is involved in drug sales and extorting money from women who are victims of sexual exploitation.

Doses of methamphetamine and marijuana were seized from him, as well as a notebook containing a list of names linked to extortion of sex workers in the Sullivan and Revolución area.

In another raid, Jorge Donovan 'N', Giancarlo 'N', Valeria 'N', and Diana Paola 'N' were arrested. They were key collaborators and relatives of Lesli Valeri 'N', and their main function was the distribution of narcotics, extortion, and collecting protection money from victims in various boroughs of Mexico City. A firearm, cell phones, and narcotics were seized from them.

What did Bryan 'N', the financial operator, do for the Tren de Aragua?

In another operation in the Iztapalapa borough, an arrest warrant was executed against Bryan 'N', 33 years old, for the crimes of aggravated human trafficking and organized crime.

The man is a financial operator for the Tren de Aragua, providing his bank accounts for receiving and sending funds derived from illicit activities in order to conceal the origin and destination of the money.

In addition, he facilitated and provided housing for members of the criminal group, as well as for women of Venezuelan origin.

The Venustiano Carranza borough of Mexico City.

Source: Milenio

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Sheinbaum Rules Out US Military Action in Mexico After Call With Trump: "It's Not On The Table."

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The US president insisted on helping in the fight against insecurity, but the president reiterated that it’s not necessary.

President Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out any military action in Mexico by the United States government to attack organised crime, following her call with Donald Trump, but will continue to collaborate to prevent drug and arms trafficking.

At the morning press conference, which was delayed from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. due to the telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, the Mexican leader explained that she sought the call because of statements made by her counterpart.

“What prompted the call? He had stated three times that he would be interested in greater participation in security in Mexico, so I believe that under these circumstances it's always better to seek dialogue instead of only through the media or public communication; it's better to talk on the phone.  Furthermore, there is a history of joint work that is already being done, so that's why we requested the call.

He was generally receptive; he insists on the participation of U.S. forces, but we always say that it's not necessary and that we are very clear in defending our territorial integrity, and that there is already collaboration that is working, so it's not needed.”

“Was military action ruled out with this call, in your opinion?” she was asked.

“Yes, yes… Let's say it was made very clear in the conversation that there is collaboration, coordination, and that we continue to work together within that framework. They can always declare something else at some point, and we will seek a new call if that's the case,” she commented, referring to the statement about the contact that Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente had with Marco Rubio.

Sheinbaum Pardo reiterated her position on the United States' argument for labeling drug traffickers as terrorists.

“We do not agree; our Constitution and our laws define terrorism in a different way. Organized crime cannot be classified as terrorism. Terrorism is directly related to actions against the government and other schemes... nor do we agree with the United States calling it terrorism and intervening in our country. We made this so clear that we amended the Constitution or added a paragraph to the Constitution stating that the Mexican people are against any interventionism.”

Sheinbaum Pardo acknowledged that Trump addressed the issue of Venezuela during this conversation, which, unlike other occasions, was very brief.

“I told him very clearly that we have a Constitution with very clear constitutional principles, and that's where the conversation ended,” she commented.

She added that they agreed that the security committee would continue working together, and that there would be a new meeting on January 22 in the United States.

Source: Milenio

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Clashes Reported Between Rival Sinaloa Cartel Groups in the San Ignacio Mountains

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat

Residents reported gunfire, suspected explosions, and columns of smoke in the San Ignacio mountains, Sinaloa.

Armed clashes were reported during the early hours of this Sunday in the mountainous area of ​​the municipality of San Ignacio, in Sinaloa. Rival groups of the Sinaloa Cartel reportedly participated in the confrontation.

According to reports from residents, gunshots and bursts of gunfire were heard in nearby towns, a situation that caused alarm among the population.

Simultaneously, residents reported a column of gray smoke rising from different points in the mountains, with characteristics similar to those left by explosions caused by high-powered devices.

Through WhatsApp groups and community communication channels, residents shared videos and messages documenting what happened in the mountainous area of ​​San Ignacio.

The reports indicate that the events were not limited to a single community but extended to towns located in the higher parts of the mountains, towards the border with the state of Durango.

These incidents add to other violent events recently recorded in municipalities in southern Sinaloa, such as Escuinapa, where clashes and attacks have also been reported in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.

According to information gathered, these territories have been the scene of a constant dispute between rival groups due to their strategic location.

To date, the authorities haven’t issued an official report on fatalities, injuries, or seizures resulting from these events.

San Ignacio, Sinaloa

Source: Milenio

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Criminals Steal Trucks Full of Beer in Salamanca, Guanajuato

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Public security forces recovered a stolen tractor trailer loaded with bottled beer while on patrol in Irapuato, Guanajuato yesterday. The stolen beer was likely destined to be sold at street markets and at local bars.

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Three South American extortionists have been arrested; two are Venezuelan and one is Colombian: Jalisco

 CHAR 

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED BY EL OCCIDENTAL AND WRITTEN BY: RAMON ORTEGA

They are being accused of conducting fraudulent raffles and granting "loan shark" loans.

State police officers and federal authorities arrested three individuals from South America involved in fraudulent raffles and "loan sharking" schemes in the municipalities of Zapopan and Guadalajara.

The first incident occurred at the intersection of Oss and Amsterdam streets in the Valle de los Molinos neighborhood of Zapopan.

Officers observed two men who matched the descriptions provided in citizen reports that accused them of allegedly collecting money through fraudulent means.

Upon verifying their identities, they discovered that both individuals presented credentials identifying them as Colombian citizens. However, because they could not prove their legal residency in the country, they were referred to personnel from the National Institute of Migration.

The second incident occurred at the intersection of Mandarina Avenue and 9th Street, in the wholesale market in Guadalajara, where police officers encountered a Venezuelan national who could not prove his legal status in Mexico.

Dainer “N,” 21 years old, was unable to prove his legal status in Mexico. Photo: / Courtesy / Secretariat of Security

Due to the above, Arturo “N,” 31 years old, and Andrés “N,” 38, both of Colombian origin, as well as Dainer “N,” 21, from Venezuela, were referred to the immigration authorities to continue with the corresponding procedures.

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL 

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Carlos Castro, Crime Reporter in Veracruz, Murdered; Shot Dead in Restaurant

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

On Thursday night, January 8, the journalistic community of Veracruz suffered another loss with the murder of journalist Carlos Castro. The incident took place inside a commercial establishment located in the municipality of Poza Rica, in the northern part of the state. According to initial reports, the attack occurred while the journalist was inside a restaurant called La Troguebirria.

This business is located on 20 de Noviembre Avenue, in the Cazones neighborhood, a busy area of ​​the city. Witnesses reported that unknown individuals entered the premises and opened fire directly on Castro, then fled the scene in an unknown direction. After the shots were fired, people present at the establishment called emergency services via 911.

Paramedics arrived at the scene to provide first aid; however, despite their efforts, it was confirmed that the journalist had already died due to the severity of his injuries. Public security officers cordoned off the area to preserve the crime scene, allowing personnel from the State Attorney General's Office to begin collecting evidence and opening an investigation.

As of this writing, state authorities haven’t issued a detailed official statement about the events, nor have any arrests been reported in connection with this case. Carlos Castro was a journalist known in the region for his coverage of crime news. He currently worked for the digital media outlet Código Norte Veracruz and had previously worked for the newspaper Noreste.

Following this incident, the State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists (Ceapp) issued a statement confirming the homicide and strongly condemning the attack. The autonomous body reported that it is already addressing the situation and demanded that the state Attorney General's Office and the competent authorities act swiftly. Those who make up this autonomous body demand that the authorities thoroughly investigate the case and bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law," the institution stated.

A relevant detail that has emerged through various media outlets is that Carlos Castro had a history of being at risk.  It was reported that, during 2024, the journalist had protection measures granted by the same CEAPP (State Commission for the Protection of Journalists) due to alleged death threats.

Poza Rica, Veracruz 

Sources: Tribuna, Monitores Multimedia

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Quebec Trafficker Jonathan "Rambo" Bouchard Killed in Puerto Vallarta...After Leaving a Gym

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

Jonathan “Rambo” Bouchard, a 32-year-old who was well known to police in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, was found dead on the morning of January 6, 2026 in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 

One or more gunmen fired at him repeatedly, hitting him twice in the head after he left a gym on Jamaica St. 

His murder is believed to part of the Quebec turf wars that has been ongoing for several years. The turf war, as it has extended into other countries, has been coined a 'Royalty War' by Montreal news outlets as the killings seem to be over royalties being paid for drug shipments.

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García Harfuch Highlights the Capture of 'El Señor de la Silla' in Culiacán, Sinaloa, During the Morning Press Conference

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

This Thursday, the Security Cabinet, headed by the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Omar García Harfuch, attended the morning press conference.

Among other information provided by the official, he highlighted the arrest of Pedro Inzunza Noriega,  known as "El Señor de la Silla" or "El Sagitario," which took place in Sinaloa in recent days.

“As part of the reinforcement of security in the state of Sinaloa, a significant operation was carried out that resulted in the arrest of one of the operators of a criminal organization with a strong presence in the region,” García Harfuch reported from Cuernavaca, Morelos.

“Based on intelligence and field work, and on solid information and duly integrated evidence, an operation was carried out led by the Mexican Navy (Semar) and the Attorney General's Office (FGR); the intervention was carried out through the execution of a search warrant obtained by the FGR,” he stated.

“As a result of this action, four people were arrested, including Pedro N., alias ‘Sagitario’. According to the investigations, Pedro ‘N’ was identified as the leader of a criminal cell of the criminal organization linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and responsible for coordinating one of the main networks for the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs with international reach,” he detailed.

The secretary added that "El Señor de la Silla" and his son were important targets for the U.S. government.

“‘El Sagitario,’ along with his son Pedro ‘N,’ who lost his life in a confrontation on November 30, were responsible for the production and trafficking of drugs that were sent to the United States and Canada,” he indicated.

“For this reason, both individuals are targets of importance for the U.S. Department of Justice,” he concluded. The Operation

On December 31, in the Guadalupe neighborhood of Culiacán, Sinaloa, Pedro Inzunza Noriega, known as "El Señor de la Silla" (The Lord of the Chair), was arrested. He has been identified as the second-in-command of the group led by Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, alias "El Chapo Isidro," who assumed control of the Beltrán Leyva criminal organization.

Inzunza Noriega is also the father of Pedro Inzunza Coronel, alias "Pichón."  Three other individuals allegedly linked to the same criminal structure were also apprehended during the operation.

Seizures during the capture of "El Señor de la Silla"

During the operation, the armed forces seized a firearm and various quantities of drugs.

Sources: Los Noticieristas, Borderland Beat Archives

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Disappearances on the Rise in Mexico - Mass Grave Discovered in Villagrán, Guanajuato

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

State authorities confirmed the discovery of a mass grave with 13 corpses in a farm field in Villagrán, Guanajuato yesterday. Once again, Guanajuato is representative of a national trend: homicides are decreasing, but disappearances are increasing.

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Throwback: Cartels Clash for Deadly Reign

Fort Worth Star-Telegram - 10/02/2002

MONTERREY, Mexico — Hundreds of special anti-drug forces have converged on northern Mexico to patrol what has become a bloody battleground in a war between powerful drug cartels just south of the Texas border.

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What Does it Mean When a Drug trafficker's Hearing is Postponed in the US? Specialist Analyzes the Cases of 'El Ratón' and 'El Mayo'

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Among the factors that benefit Mexican drug traffickers, age was highlighted.

The postponement of hearings in international drug trafficking cases in the United States—according to UNAM professor and researcher Javier Oliva Posada—is a result of complex negotiation processes between the defense and federal judicial authorities, in which information, cooperation, and economic resources are exchanged in exchange for reduced sentences.

In an interview with Joel Valdez for MILENIO Televisión, the specialist explained that these extensions are mainly requested to strengthen the judicial files and broaden the negotiation margins.

“The objective is at the request of the defense; the decision is made by the federal judicial authority to accumulate evidence, witnesses, testimonies, and documents that will reduce the prison sentence and set bail,” he said.

Specialist explains the case of Ovidio Guzmán and El Mayo

Oliva Posada stressed that these processes involve large sums of money as part of the judicial agreements.

“In the case of Ovidio Guzmán, bail was set at 90 million dollars; there is a consideration in exchange for these substantial sums that are deposited in the federal courts,” he explained.

The academic clarified that the negotiations are not limited to the payment of money, but also include the provision of strategic information, which lowers the possibilities of negotiation for other involved parties, he pointed out.

The fact

When will Ovidio Guzmán's next hearing be?

The intermediate hearing of Ovidio Guzmán López, one of the sons of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, El Chapo, has been postponed from January 9th to July 10th.

He recalled the cases linked to Ismael El Mayo Zambada: “his son and his brother were sentenced in the United States, and for having cooperated and provided information, today they live in the United States with a new identity; they remain protected witnesses,” he affirmed. From his perspective, this type of agreement creates a profound contradiction for societies affected by criminal violence.

“For those of us who suffer the violence and cruelty of these criminal organizations, it is, at the very least, contradictory,” he said.

Factors that work in favor of the drug lords

The researcher pointed out that this benefit can be extended to other drug lords once they meet the conditions imposed by the U.S. justice system.

"After serving their sentences as cooperating witnesses and paying a hefty fine, they can indeed lead a normal life in the United States," he explained.

Oliva Posada indicated that age and health also influence judicial decisions.

"In the case of elderly individuals with health problems, such as La Tuta or El Mayo Zambada, these factors are taken into account when sentencing," he concluded.

Source: Milenio

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