By “El Huaso” for Borderland Beat
In the early morning of August 31, the Mexican Army, with support from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, conducted a security operation in the Sierra of Michoacán that resulted in the death of Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, a.k.a. “R5” and “Wicho de los Reyes.”
Who Was “R5”?
According to U.S. authorities, Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez was a regional leader and chief of hitmen (jefe de sicarios) for the Los Reyes Cartel. Barragán Chávez reportedly became involved in Michoacán's armed groups alongside his brother-in-law, with whom he initially fought Los Caballeros Templarios as part of the self-defense (autodefensas) movement. The two later formed their own criminal organization.
What Is the Los Reyes Cartel?
The Los Reyes Cartel is a Michoacán-based criminal organization that operates as a faction of Carteles Unidos, an alliance of several criminal groups active across the state.
Carteles Unidos and Michoacán
According to U.S. authorities, Carteles Unidos emerged as an alliance of smaller Michoacán-based cartels seeking to prevent larger criminal organizations from expanding into the state, particularly CJNG. The alliance has reportedly been engaged in a territorial conflict with CJNG since mid-August 2019.
“Carteles Unidos is a transnational criminal and drug trafficking organization that controls large areas of Michoacán. Acting as an umbrella organization, it unites several Michoacán-based cartels to acquire, manufacture, and distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine for smuggling into the United States.” The organization is also involved in extortion and other criminal activities.
Carteles Unidos has been linked to the recruitment of foreign mercenaries and the use of improvised explosive devices, including attacks that resulted in the deaths of Mexican soldiers. According to U.S. allegations, profits from drug sales in the United States were used to finance armed operations in Michoacán, acquire heavy weaponry, hire Colombian mercenaries, bribe local officials, and finance lavish lifestyles for cartel leaders.
According to U.S. authorities, Carteles Unidos has also been associated with extortion targeting avocado and lime producers, with those who refuse or are unable to make the demanded payments reportedly facing threats, disappearance, or death.
What Was “R5” Accused Of?
In July 2023, U.S. prosecutors formally charged Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez in the District of Columbia with offenses related to conspiracies to traffic drugs and firearms. The allegations against R5 and Carteles Unidos involved drug trafficking, including the production and trafficking of synthetic opioids to the United States, as well as terrorism and extortion in Mexico's agricultural sector.
Barragán Chávez allegedly led armed factions of Carteles Unidos that enforced territorial control using assault weapons, improvised explosive devices, armed drones, armored vehicles, and foreign mercenaries.
What Was the Reward for “R5”?
On August 14, 2025, the U.S. government offered a reward of up to $3 million for information leading to Barragán Chávez's arrest and/or conviction.
International Connections
U.S. investigations have traced Carteles Unidos' criminal network from clandestine drug laboratories in Michoacán to major distribution hubs across the United States, with related cases pursued in the District of Columbia and the Eastern District of Tennessee. The investigations illustrate the international dimension of the organization, connecting drug production and armed operations in Michoacán with distribution networks operating across multiple U.S. states.
Sources: treasury.gov - justice.gov - state.gov
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat
The removal of a man’s head is somewhat underway. To a certain extent that’s the plan of action here.
Things just aren’t going as expected for the enforcer from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) who makes it painfully obvious that he’s new at this.
It would’ve really helped him had he sharpened his blade ahead of time. Still though, his eye to hand coordination is on point.
With enough time and practice his savage ways should improve if he keeps himself alive. The war in Michoacán between the CJNG and Knights Templar will provide him with enough bodies to get there.
Source: Vivo en Marte
"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat
The thing about cover and concealment is that you have to camouflage every inch of your body. It doesn’t just apply to your fighting position. In all probability that’s what made it so easy for the Chapiza to locate and neutralize a novice enforcer from the Grupo Flechas.
That single shot to the head, not only took him out all at once but also caved in a part of his face in the process. Was he an undertrained shooter made to believe that his organization had the upper hand here, or a weekend warrior with no common sense?
Going into the wood line to fight against an enemy that’s also trying to kill you isn’t as easy as it looks. The fallen male with a gunshot to his head teaches us this in the simplest of terms just before he gets beheaded.
Source: Vivo en Marte
"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat
For Spanish music aficionados, the instantly recognizable chords to ‘Cruzando Cerros y Arroyos’ begins just as a Cessna prepares to fly off into the horizon.
The infamous song narrates a man’s love for a woman as he roams towards her across a countryside dotted with hills and streams.
Although the chorus centers on a love interest, the trio of musicians performs it as a homage to a fallen Cartel de Sinaloa member.
A panoramic view of the area shows that everyone gathered here is attending his funeral. Who he was and where he actually ranked within the hierarchy is unknown. The CDS source who sent it in kept all those intimate details private.
Source: Anonymous
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
On the one hand it can be said that the Mayiza mob compromised on their end for the sake of not spilling unnecessary blood. Analytically speaking that would make the most sense in the latest conflict between them and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Zacatecas.
But on the other hand, it could also be claimed that they had no other choice and chose to bitch up. The threat that the CJNG made in a recent video must’ve weighed on them because it did force them to release the abducted women and children
Was the reasoning behind this due to them not having planned this out better? Or did the anticipation of the hell they could’ve unleashed compel them to do so? Whatever the case may be, the Mayiza seems to have prevented something that wouldn’t have benefited them for the time being.
This statement is issued on August 22nd at approximately 4:00 PM; the F-Z Nueva Generación command sends the following message to all MZ, Cabrera, and allied factions.
Vago, releasing the women and girls you kidnapped in Jerez was the best thing you could have done. You had no other choice, and by doing so, you averted the deaths of your family and all members of your cartel.
However, this message isn’t t directed at you, you filthy, low-life scum, but rather at your bosses—Jose Luis and Alejandro Cabrera—as well as Mayito Flaco. If Mayo were free, he would have died of shame upon seeing that his heirs and allies have broken the mafia’s greatest code and have allowed his people to commit cowardly and unscrupulous acts.
Nevertheless, we want to make it crystal clear: releasing those innocent people and the newborn baby won’t stop the war and the purge we have just launched in northern Zacatecas, nor will it prevent us from finishing you off—as we have already demonstrated.
And to the Zacatecas State Prosecutor's Office: stop serving the *Mayatiza* faction. You know perfectly well how the events unfolded and how those people were released. Don’t try to deceive the public or your superiors—such as Attorney General Cristian Paul Camacho Osnaya and Governor David Monreal—by claiming in press conferences that *you* freed them, just to play the hero.
I am telling you this loud and clear, right to your faces: you know full well that Vago—the MZ and Cabrera commander who takes orders from Olegario—went personally to the Prosecutor's Office facilities in the early hours of today and handed the released individuals directly over to you.
He made it very clear that no formal complaints were to be filed against the MZ. Had they done so, you would have manipulated their testimony, recording statements claiming they hadn't been abducted by a cartel, but had merely gone into hiding following a personal dispute.
This information comes from sources very close to the institution itself. For this reason, we urge the Attorney General's Office to take action and investigate the personnel of that institution.
To conclude this statement: you lowlife, before I kill you and deliver the *coup de grâce*, you will beg for forgiveness on your knees, pleading with me not to kill you. And my eyes will be the last thing you see before I put a bullet in your head. Because you messed with the wrong, innocent families.
To all the *Mayatiza* here in Zacatecas: get out of the way while you still can. Because the F-Z Nueva Generación squad isn't coming to straighten assholes out; it’s coming to finish them off. That is the standing order. We reiterate: we are already present throughout northern Zacatecas.
And as a great man once said, we are fully aware of everything. We chose a difficult path, but an acceptable one. We prefer to die standing than to die on our knees. Sincerely, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Sources: All Source News, Borderland Beat Archives
Assassins from the Operativa F-Z Nueva Generación, an armed wing of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), have recently released a new video online. For this broadcast, two alleged Mayo Zambada operatives find themselves on their knees in a heavily wooded area.
Both captives are surrounded by a large group of armed men during nighttime hours. Cowboy hats were purposely placed on their heads to identify them as Mayiza operatives.
The CJNG is aiming to showcase the integrality of alleged crimes that their enemies are committing in and around the city of Jerez. Within the framework of the interrogation, both enslaved men will be shot to death once the questioning ends.
We warned the Mayos and the Cabreras, and we made good on our word. This marks the start of the purge in northern Zacatecas. Yesterday in Jerez, despite the reinforcements that reached them by air and land, they couldn't handle us—and there were only eight of us. We left a bloodbath behind, and they looked pathetic picking up their dead. But we were even more surprised when they retreated and ran away, screaming for us to stop shooting. As proof, we captured two individuals who decided to kneel and surrender to us. We’re here now, and we’re coming for the other municipalities. They looked so low-life—abandoning their own people and panicking the moment they saw their commander hit the ground. The only time you bastards have the balls for anything is when you’re targeting women and girls—you fucking cowards who kill children and innocents.
Sicario: Who do you assholes work for?
Captive: The Mayos.
Sicario: Why did you guys bitch up and surrender?
Captive: Because we were abandoned and our leadership was destroyed.
Sicario: Which leadership are you referring to?
Captive: "Sergeant" (a commander from the Cabreras-MZ of the Flechas Group)
Sicario: How many trucks did you guys have out here in Jerez yesterday?
Captive: Around 6 trucks.
Sicario: Which government support you guys?
Captives: The Attorney General's Office, state police, FRIZ, municipal police, and highway patrolmen.
Sicario: Does the military and national guardsmen support you guys?
Captive: Not that I know of. Several weeks ago there was an operation underway in Durango with the special forces. My partner and I were sent to plant some explosives outside of the military base. But they didn’t explode so we were told to open fire on them.
Sicario: Where are your narco camps located?
Captive: One of them is in the Sierra de Cardos. El Vago and his mob are positioned there. Another is located between Malpaso and Jerez. Near the Vista Alegre hotel. They’re hiding out in some stables that are nearby. Another place that I’m aware of is in the community of El Cuidado. On the Jerez to Tepotongo thoroughfare. You have to come in through Capulín de los Salinas. On the dirt road that leads to Villa Nueva. Commander Bruno’s mob is positioned in this area. The FRIZ and state police support him there.
Sicario: Yesterday around noon I received a report about the abduction of several women, a newborn baby girl, and a three year old little girl. The kidnapping took place in the Benito Juárez neighborhood near the town of Encino Mocho. Who were these people?
Captive: Some of our colleagues in a white truck were responsible for that. One of them is known as El Chucho.
Sicario: Where were they taken?
Captive: I honestly don’t know sir.
Sicario: Where are the kidnapped taken to?
Captive: I know of four different safe houses in Jerez. One of them is in the Deportivo neighborhood. On Puma street. At house #4. There’s another house on Toros Neza Avenue. And another place in the Primera de Mayo neighborhood. There’s also a house in the Frente Popular neighborhood. Specifically at a place they call Las Casitas.
Sicario: Why were the 10 officials and businessmen killed in Guadalupe, Zacatecas?
Captive: I don’t know the details behind that sir. The only thing that I know is that a group came out Fresnillo on the orders come of Commander Oligario.
Sicario: Who’s in charge of collecting the funds for the kidnappings and extortions?
Captive: Were the ones who collect from everyone; commercial businesses, livestock farmers, car salesmen, and for the right to operate in the area. The attorney general’s office supports us in collecting for the abductions.
Sicario: Well, well well. Tell me how exactly they support you guys.
Captive: The attorney general lets us know whenever the family of a missing person files a missing person’s report. They pretend to help out the affected families by intervening and negotiating the ransom for their rescue. Once we receive the ransom money we reunite the victims with their families. Sometimes we leave the abducted victims at a certain place and split the gains with the attorney general’s office afterwards.
Sicario: Out of all the state officials who exactly is supporting you guys?
Captive: Everyone within the security cabinet. In fact, we were given the order to start contacting citizens. So that once the new government changeover takes place everyone would vote for a certain candidate. I don’t remember her name. But I think that it’s Vero Diaz. She’s the one that’s supporting the cartel.
Sicario: Once again we reiterate to the government. Don’t get involved. Allow us to rid society of this trash. If you wouldn’t have supported the Mayos in Jerez yesterday. We would’ve taken them out right away. Don’t bother risking your lives for them. Remind yourselves that your positions aren’t eternal. Nor is this war against you guys. Mr. Prosecutor and Mr. Governor. It’s not necessary that you redouble your security apparatus as you’ve recently done. Don’t protect yourselves because of us. But rather protect yourselves from the very individuals that you’ve allowed to grow. Because they’re going to betray you in the same way that they’re backstabbing each other. As for you Mayosizas, you can run and hide. But we’re coming after you guys wherever you are. Release the abducted women along with the two girls. They’re innocent individuals. If you lay a hand on them you will escalate this war into something worse. We’re going to pay you back for the acts that you commit. We’re positioned in northern Zacatecas. So come on out to fight us. Sincerely, your father you fucking Mayo faggots!
Sicarios scream in unison: We are the absolute four letters cartel!!!
Source: Vivo en Marte
"Socalj" for Borderland Beat
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“Start looking into the possibility of opening up markets in countries like Jordan, Israel, and New Zealand,” one of the leaders of a Sinaloa Cartel cell told another member of the organization during a call intercepted by Mexico's Attorney General’s Office (FGR) in October 2023.
The person on the other end identified in the case file as the operative responsible for smuggling drugs across the Mexicali-Calexico border and distributing them in the United States, took weeks to revisit the topic. However, when he did according to the report by investigators who analyzed the audio, he confirmed that the plan would indeed go ahead: they would open markets in those three countries, starting with Israel, and divide up the territories as opportunities arose.
