Blows against the Los Chapos do not weaken them, experts say.

 CHAR 

THIS ARTICLE WAS TRANSLATED FROM RIODOCE AND WRITTEN BY: MIGUEL ANGEL VEGA

The murder of El Panu and the arrests of the Lindoro brothers only lead to a restructuring of the faction.

The arrests of Mario Lindoro Elenes and Mario Alberto Lindoro Navidad in Zapopan, Jalisco; of Carlos Gabriel Reynoso García, "El Pollo," in Mazatlán; the murder of Óscar Noé Medina González, "El Panu," in Mexico City; and the death of Alán Gabriel Núñez Herrera in Culiacán are blows that temporarily force the Chapitos to retreat and regroup, but they do not weaken them as many believe, observed a source at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, with whom this weekly publication spoke.

“For months we thought the Chapitos were weakened; there was even a moment when their leader, Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, was cornered, but he managed to escape.  Afterward, we believed the group was weakened, but suddenly they returned with force, demonstrating all the power they possess, and now it's unclear how weakened they truly are,” the source said.

However, the real blows against El Chapo Guzmán's sons don't come from arrests, deaths, or seizures, but from operators and entire groups that “switch sides,” as they call those who change allegiances, ending up joining the Mayiza, the group commanded by Ismael Zambada Sicairos, also known as El Mayito Flaco.

“In Navolato, some of their people switched sides, and that's why things calmed down there. But in Elota, for example, the fighting continues intensely. In Culiacán, there are people who have switched sides. But even so, the Chapiza remains strong. They have lost ground, but then they regroup, fight back, and regain territory, and that's why nobody knows how much longer this will last,” said a hitman leader from one of the factions, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

In a poster revealed by the DEA, neither Mario Alberto Lindoro Navidad nor Mario Lindoro Elenes are identified as part of the inner circle of Los Chapitos' financial operators, but Medina González is recognized as a high-ranking security lieutenant protecting the organization, while Alán Gabriel Núñez Herrera is singled out as a key figure in fentanyl trafficking, which, according to the DEA, is one of the faction's main sources of income to finance its war.

Until October of last year, the U.S. agency had identified 21 operators who were still at large, excluding Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar. Of these high-ranking operators, 16 were located in Sinaloa or elsewhere in Mexico, and included hitmen in charge of the group's security, coordinators for the operation of clandestine laboratories, front men and money launderers, and operators for the production and trafficking of fentanyl.

Of that group, all of whom had photos and names, only five remain: Carlos Limón, Jesús Tirado Andrade, Juan Pablo Lozano, Liborio Núñez Aguirre, Noel Pérez López, and Samuel León Alvarado. The rest have been killed or arrested.

According to Mike Vigil, a security analyst and former head of DEA operations in Mexico, although the deaths or arrests of their operators destabilize Los Chapitos, they do not lose power or control because it is an organization that always has other people ready to take over from their predecessors, and in this way, they have no difficulty replacing the people who are important to them. “These arrests and deaths don't weaken them at all, because this is a group that is too cunning, and they are prepared for this. When they lose someone or one of their operatives is arrested, they already have someone to replace them, whether to protect them at all costs, or to move drugs or launder money; they even have the replacements for the replacements already ready,” Vigil explained. Security Reports

These statements foreshadow that the war between the Chapos and the Mayos will continue indefinitely, as observed by people linked to both sides, as well as journalists and gunmen with whom information has been gathered or exchanged about the current situation.

Chronology

On Sunday, December 21, at a well-known restaurant in the Zona Rosa in Mexico City, Óscar Noé Medina González, the alleged head of security for Los Chapitos, was executed. At the time of his death, he is believed to have been Iván Archivaldo's main lieutenant in charge of the group's security. No one knows what he was doing in Mexico City, nor why, given his high level in the organization, he didn't have security. Leader Profiles

Just a few hours after the murder of Panu, another key figure in the Los Chapitos organization, was found dead with his hands tied in the Tres Ríos sector in Culiacán. He was Alan Gabriel Núñez Herrera, for whom the U.S. Department of Justice was offering a one-million-dollar reward. It is presumed that his torture and execution were carried out by people linked to La Mayiza.

A day later, on Tuesday, December 23, hours before Christmas, Carlos Gabriel Reynoso García, "El Pollo," was arrested along with Jesús Arturo Dávalos Valenzuela, who were apparently linked to the Chapitos, in Mazatlán. At the time of their capture, tactical equipment was seized, including weapons for the exclusive use of the army and communication equipment.

That same Tuesday, Mario Lindoro Elenes, "El Niño," and his son Mario Alfredo Lindoro Navidad, "El 7," Iván Archivaldo Guzmán's father-in-law and brother-in-law, were arrested. The arrest followed a series of raids conducted at various residences in Zapopan, Jalisco, where drugs, weapons, documents, money, cell phones, and luxury vehicles were seized. 

Article published on December 28, 2025, in issue 1196 of the weekly newspaper Ríodoce.

SOURCE: RIODOCE 

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CSRL Sabotages Train Track in Attempt to Rob Cargo in Cortázar, Guanajuato

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Members of the Cartel Santa Rosa de Lima sabotaged train rails near Cortazar in an attempt to derail a train loaded with high value electronics, reported government officials. The sabotage was detected by an engineer before the train arrived.

The criminals cut a 40 cm portion out of the track, damage that would have likely derailed the train.

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Pedro Inzunza Noriega, 'El Sagitario', operator for 'El Chapo Isidro', arrested in Culiacán

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Following a search authorized by a federal judge, Pedro Inzunza Noriega, alias 'Sagitario', was arrested along with three other people.

Federal authorities announced the arrest of Pedro Inzunza Noriega, alias El Sagitario, the most trusted operator of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, alias El Chapo Isidro, a drug trafficker identified as having inherited the criminal business of Alfredo Beltrán Leyva, former leader of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel.

According to a statement from the Mexican government, following an investigation involving elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPyC), and the Attorney General's Office (FGR), a property linked to El Señor de la Silla, as Inzunza Noriega was known, was identified.  A search warrant was then obtained, and the target was arrested, along with three other people.

“The arrested individuals will be transported by air by Navy personnel to Mexico City, where they will be placed at the disposal of the FEMDO (Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime) so that their legal situation can be determined according to law,” the Mexican government detailed in a statement.

Where did the search take place?

At a property located in the city of Culiacán, Sinaloa, identified during the federal investigations.

The operation was led by the Secretariat of the Navy and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, in coordination with the Attorney General's Office, through the Criminal Investigation Agency and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime.

According to official information, the investigation was conducted against a criminal group affiliated with the organization formerly headed by the Beltrán Leyva brothers, dedicated to the production and trafficking of drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, with operations in the state of Sinaloa. The investigations intensified after a confrontation last November in the mountainous area of ​​the municipality of Choix, where Navy personnel were attacked by armed civilians. In that incident, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, alias Pichón, identified as one of the main operators of the criminal group, was neutralized.

Following subsequent investigations, authorities located a property in Culiacán allegedly linked to Inzunza Noriega, identified as Pichón's father and as second-in-command of the criminal structure led by Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, alias El Chapo Isidro, who had reportedly assumed control of the organization.

With the evidence gathered, a federal judge issued a search warrant, which was executed today, leading to the arrest of Sagitario and three other people. During the operation, firearms and various quantities of drugs were seized.

What is known about Pedro Inzunza Noriega?

The capo, also known as El de la Silla, began his criminal career as a financial liaison between organized crime groups and money laundering structures in Mexico and the United States.

According to the indictment filed on May 10, 2025, in a New York federal court, his role evolved into the operational and logistical leadership of a criminal cell dedicated to the importation and distribution of drugs, mainly methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.

Pedro Inzunza 'El Sagitario' arrested in Culiacán

The court document indicates that Inzunza Noriega operated from Mexico but had intermediaries and transporters under his command in U.S. territory, using front companies and highly organized smuggling schemes.

His structure also participated in extortion, the use of armed violence, and the financing of attacks against rival authorities or opposing groups. Along with his son, Pedro Alfonso Inzunza Loaiza, the defendant faces multiple federal charges that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has characterized as part of a pattern of "narco terrorism," a term it uses to describe violence perpetrated by criminal groups for the purposes of intimidation, territorial control, and institutional destabilization.

Narco terrorism Charges

Along with his son, Pedro Alfonso Inzunza Loaiza, the defendant faces multiple federal charges, including:

Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute illicit drugs.

Conspiracy to import fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

International money laundering.

Participation in terrorist acts related to drug trafficking.

Source: Milenio

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CJNG Sicarios Attack Bars in Villaflores, Chiapas: Eight Kidnapped, Seven Found Dead

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

A convoy of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) sicarios dressed in tactical uniforms and driving cloned military pickups, burned two bars in Villaflores, Chiapas this weekend.

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CIA Likely Behind December 18 and December 24 Land Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Targets

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat

A firsthand account of an explosion along the Venezuelan coast on December 18 is raising questions about who may have been responsible for the attack and whether it and a supposed fire at a nearby chemical plant were either of the drone strikes confirmed by Trump on December 26.

Two members of Venezuela’s Wayuu indigenous community in the area told NBC News that they witnessed an unexplained explosion on December 18 that destroyed a hut along the coast that possibly was used for storage.

The arid coastal strip in the northwest of Venezuela, known as Alta Guajira, is heavily controlled by the National Liberation Army or ELN, an armed guerilla group known for its history of drug trafficking that is also active in neighboring Colombia.

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Los Chapitos Lose 80% of Their Leaders in Less Than 500 Days of War

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Iván Archivaldo and Alfredo Guzmán are on the ropes. Their main leaders have been killed by rivals, shot dead by federal forces, are under arrest, or are on the run.

Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, the two Chapitos who remain at large, are in serious trouble: the "war in Sinaloa" hasn't even lasted a year and a half, and they have already lost their most important leaders.

On December 23, two key financial operators were arrested in Jalisco: Mario Alfredo Lindoro Navidad, "El 7," and Mario Lindoro Elenes, "El Niño," brother-in-law and father-in-law, respectively, of the eldest son of El Chapo Guzmán. Both had a crucial task for the survival of Los Menores: ensuring a constant cash flow to finance the war.

That same day, but in Culiacán, Alan Núñez Herrera was murdered; he supplied them with weapons to fight against La Mayiza. And just hours earlier, on December 21, the number three in the Los Chapitos structure and their top security chief was executed in Mexico City: Óscar Noé Medina, "El Panu."

The four losses before Christmas, within less than 60 hours, represent the accelerated loss of money, ammunition, and protection for Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo. And a reality that is now impossible to hide: the "historic" Sinaloans who protect Los Chapitos—because they watched them grow up in Culiacán or because they are loyal followers of their father—are becoming extinct.

"It's a changing of the guard before our very eyes," says a source in the security cabinet. "The Sinaloans are losing ground in Culiacán, and a new generation has to come in to protect Los Chapitos, who have already seen that their circle isn’t invincible," says an agent deployed in the Mexican Pacific.

In October 2024, MILENIO published a list compiled during the previous administration by the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), which tracked 10 leaders who head the Los Chapitos' troops. These were the most trusted people in the faction who would go all out against La Mayiza and other rivals. Old-school capos and millennials hardened in the family "narco-wars" since birth. The true lords of lead. December 31st marks 479 days of the "war in Sinaloa," and eight out of ten of them are already out of the fight. Their fates are a mosaic of typical outcomes for those who enter organized crime: murdered by rivals, killed by federal forces, arrested, or on the run. All under the shadow of having been betrayed by their own friends.

This is how the leaders have been falling:

The first to fall this year was El Gavilán, the mysterious head of Los Chapitos' hitmen, who was killed on January 6, 2025, during a shootout against Los Rugrats, the armed wing of La Mayiza. His death was concealed by Iván Archivaldo to avoid showing weakness, but the beginning of the year already marked a trend: a slow bleeding of Sinaloan leaders.

The following month, in Calimaya, State of Mexico, another important accountant for Los Chapitos was murdered: Mario Alberto Jiménez Castro, El Kastor, for whom the United States had offered a one-million-dollar reward. A hooded gunman ended his life in a parking lot, a common setting for meetings between friends that end in deadly betrayals.

The US offered a million dollars for information on 'El Kastor', who was killed in February.

That same February, the powerful financial operator José Ángel Cannobio Inzunza, known as El Güero, was arrested in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The United States was seeking him as one of the main exporters of fentanyl, and coincidentally, his arrest came days after Los Chapitos felt pressure from Washington following their designation as a terrorist organization for opioid trafficking.

Jorge Humberto Figueroa Benítez, known as El 27 or La Perris, was killed in May in a confrontation with the military in Navolato.  Like his predecessor as head of security for Los Menores—Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, El Nini—his death sparked speculation among social media users identified as alleged members of organized crime: How did the authorities know his exact location? Was he betrayed?

The last person killed on the list is Óscar Noé Medina, El Panu, who was executed four days before Christmas. His open and well-known conflicts in Culiacán with Jaziel Abdiel Guzmán Araujo, Iván Archivaldo's cousin, have revived theories about defections and disloyalty within Los Chapitos' inner circle.

‘El Panu' fue asesinado en un restaurante de la Ciudad de México. 

The physical deaths of other leaders haven’t been confirmed, but their presence has disappeared: federal sources confirmed to MILENIO that at least three of them have ceased to actively support the sons of El Chapo Guzmán.

Samuel León Alvarado, El León, reportedly fled Sinaloa after the explosives attack in Culiacán in February of this year. Liborio Núñez Aguirre, El Karateca, allegedly made a deal with the federal government to stop supporting the conflict between the Chapitos and the Mayiza in exchange for the definitive suspension of "acts depriving him of his liberty, consisting of detention for extradition purposes," a request that was made public in 2023.

The only international leader on the list, Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, Chiquito Malo, leader of the Colombian Clan del Golfo, also reportedly withdrew his support in Mexico to focus on his own country, following the U.S. crackdown.

"The Colombian drug traffickers are fighting their own domestic battles to get involved abroad. Chiquito Malo just lost a brother in his own war. They're preoccupied with their own affairs," the source confirms.

Only two leaders remain, but their influence has diminished within the Chapitos' inner circle and the national organized crime landscape: arms trafficker Juan Pablo Lozano, El Camarón, who may be hiding in the United States, far from the troubles in Sinaloa; and Pedrito Loaiza, son of Don Pedro Loaiza, a drug trafficking legend in the Sierra Madre Occidental, who hasn’t played a prominent role in the conflict.

And although they’re not considered top leaders, other losses have surrounded the Chapitos in the last year: from the arrest of Mauro Alberto Núñez Ojeda, Jando, a trusted confidant of Iván Archivaldo, to Kevin Alonso, El 200, a hitman boss. 

The Cousins ​​Step In

“At this point, Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo (Guzmán) only have their cousins ​​left. The core group, their blood relatives. But they don't seem as skilled or experienced as the men they've lost in the war,” says the source, who conducts criminal intelligence in the state.

It is likely, he says, that other relatives of the two Chapitos will rise to positions of power, such as Alberto Zepeda Cano, alias El Chapito Lomas, and his brother Joel Zepeda Cano, alias El 23. And that Jaziel Abdiel Guzmán Araujo, the American cousin, will gain influence. However, the recent downfall of Iván Archivaldo's brother-in-law and father-in-law demonstrates a compromised family circle.

“This shows us the changing of the guard: the native Sinaloans are stepping back, and their places could be taken by enforcers from the Jalisco Cartel. That would be historic, something never seen before,” the military officer assures.

Earlier this year, Iván Archivaldo forged an unlikely alliance with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG): in exchange for greater protection against eventual arrest or assassination and increased capacity to attack La Mayiza, Los Chapitos would share routes established by their father with Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who has been implementing an aggressive expansion plan throughout northern Mexico for years.

The pact stipulated that a high-ranking member of the CJNG, such as Audias Flores Silva, El Jardinero, would take charge of the two brothers' security, using the same force and strategies that have made El Mencho untouchable. To assume complete control of this difficult mission, he would have to infiltrate the inner circle of Los Chapitos' security chiefs, a compact group made up of native Sinaloans. “When we in the government learned that there was an alliance between Los Chapitos and the CJNG, this was one of the most worrying possibilities: that the strength of the Jalisco group would be evident in the displacement of the Sinaloa group, and that they would gradually become indispensable to Los Chapitos.

“Without El Panu and other security chiefs who were childhood friends of Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo (Guzmán), the CJNG emerges stronger at the beginning of 2026: the survival of Los Chapitos depends on them. One more betrayal, and the fire will spread throughout Sinaloa,” he asserts.

Source: Milenio

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Cartel del Noreste Members Detained While Distributing Toy Guns with CDN Logos in Guadalupe, Nuevo León

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

In Guadalupe, Nuevo León, authorities detained four men allegedly linked to the Cartel del Noreste (CDN) while they were distributing toy guns marked with the legend "CDN" to children in the Escamilla neighborhood.

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Two Guatemalans Linked to CJNG to Stand Trial

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Two Guatemalans linked to the CJNG will face legal proceedings in Mexico after being arrested with weapons exclusively used by the Army, in a case that once again highlights the international dimension of organized crime and security cooperation. Federal authorities confirmed that the two detainees will remain in pre-trial detention while the trial against them proceeds.

The Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported that the defendants, identified as Pedro Pakim and Leonardo Choc Ical, both Guatemalan nationals, were charged for their alleged involvement in crimes related to the possession of firearms, cartridges, and magazines reserved for the Armed Forces.

Arrest of 2 Guatemalans after joint operation in Michoacán

The capture of the Guatemalans linked to the CJNG occurred in the municipality of Tangancícuaro, Michoacán, as a result of a coordinated operation between the Security Cabinet of the Mexican Government and state authorities. According to the FGR, National Guard elements detected the alleged criminals during patrol duties in the region.

During the operation, the perpetrators allegedly participated in an armed attack against National Guard personnel, an incident that resulted in the death of one of the federal officers. This attack was key to strengthening the investigation file and justifying the criminal prosecution against them.

Weapons and equipment seized during the arrest

At the time of their apprehension, authorities seized an arsenal considered for the exclusive use of the Army, which aggravates the legal situation of the detainees. Among the confiscated items are:

Two firearms

Seven magazines

111 cartridges

A tactical vest with the CJNG initials

This type of weaponry is strictly prohibited for civilians, according to Mexican law, due to its high firepower and its use in military and national security operations.

Legal proceedings and mandatory pre-trial detention

Following the arrest, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, attached to the Specialized Regional Control Prosecutor's Office (FECOR) in Michoacán, presented the necessary evidence to a control judge. Based on this evidence, the judicial authority ordered that both defendants be formally charged.

The judge also imposed the precautionary measure of mandatory pretrial detention, meaning the accused will remain incarcerated while the legal proceedings unfold. This measure is applied in cases involving serious crimes, such as those related to organized crime and the use of weapons restricted to the military.

The CJNG and its Transnational Dimension

The case of the Guatemalans linked to the CJNG reflects the transnational expansion of this criminal group, considered one of the most powerful and violent in Mexico. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has been singled out by national and international authorities for its recruitment capabilities, its presence in several states of the country, and its connections outside of Mexican territory.

The involvement of foreign nationals in criminal activities related to Mexican cartels underscores the complexity of the criminal phenomenon and the need for international cooperation to combat it effectively.

Security and Challenges for the Mexican State

The Attorney General's Office (FGR) emphasized that these types of actions are part of a comprehensive strategy to contain violence, dismantle criminal cells, and guarantee the rule of law.  According to the authorities, the arrest and prosecution of individuals linked to criminal organizations sends a message that there will be no impunity, regardless of the nationality of those involved.

The attack against the National Guard and the loss of a federal officer also reignite the debate about the risks faced by security forces and the need to strengthen protection and equipment for those who combat organized crime in the country.

A Key Process in the Fight Against Organized Crime

The trial against these Guatemalans linked to the CJNG will be closely watched, not only because of the seriousness of the crimes charged, but also because of what it represents in the fight against criminal networks that operate beyond borders. The resolution of the case could set an important precedent in terms of security, justice, and regional cooperation.

Meanwhile, authorities reiterated their commitment to continue with coordinated operations to curb violence and weaken the structure of criminal groups that threaten the country's stability.

Tangancícuaro, Michoacán

Source: La Verdad Noticias

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FBI's Most Wanted Trafficker Ryan James Wedding Part 4: Mexico City Raids Yield 62 Motorcycles, Art and Two Canadian Gold Medals

 "Socalj" for Borderland Beat

As part of a joint agency and international operation, Mexico's FGR, SSPC, GN, SEMAR and the Army carried out four raids on homes and properties in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, related to "a former Olympic athlete and one of the 10 most wanted fugitives by U.S. authorities."

Doses of methamphetamine and marijuana, 62 high-end motorcycles, two vehicles, works of art, two medals, ammunition and various documents were found.

The two medals, intially reported as Olympic medals are a pair of Wedding's Canadian National Team medals. Wedding later placed 24th in men’s snowboarding giant parallel slalom during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

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VIDEO: Clashes In La Tuna, Badiraguato, Continue between Gente De Guano-Los Calabazas versus Músico-Chapo Isidro: Sinaloa

 BY: CHAR

DECEMBER 26, 2025

On the night of Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, clashes were reported in the La Tuna (Badiraguato mountains) between armed groups. The next day, I received confirmation of the confrontations between Gente De Guano-Los Calabazas and Musico-Chapo Isidro's armed wings. 

The clashes occured outside the La Tuna limits, not inside La Tuna, which is a stronghold of drug lord Aureliano Guzman Loera "Guano." In recent months, Guano Guzman and Oscar Manuel Uribe Gastelum "Musico" have held an uneasy truce, which crumbled down in recent months as I reported on a previous post. 

COMBAT FOOTAGE IN LA TUNA LIMITS 

The following video was sent to me anonymously, and it shows Gente De Guano-Los Calabazas gunmen hunting for Musico-Chapos Isidro members. 

VIDEO WAS POSTED ON MY TELEGRAM NEWS PAGE, PLEASE FOLLOW!

Click on the link: IVAN'S DAILY NEWS

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Military personnel destroyed more than 116,000 marijuana plants in Mascota: Jalisco

 CHAR 

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED BY EL OCCIDENTAL AND WRITTEN BY: ELIZABETH IBAL 

Elements of the Mexican Army made the discovery in that Magical Town.

Elements of the Mexican Army seized nearly twenty marijuana plantations containing more than 116,000 marijuana plants in the municipality of Mascota, in the Sierra Occidental region.

Regarding the seizure, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported that, through the Specialized Regional Control Prosecutor's Office (FECOR) and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in the state, it was informed of the destruction of 17 plantations.

The statement indicated that Mexican Army personnel, while conducting ground patrols during Operation Perla, located the marijuana plantations in the mountainous area of ​​that Magical Town.

The troops destroyed approximately 116,900 marijuana plants by uprooting and burning them, and seized 470 kilograms of the drug.

The Ministry of Defense reported no arrests in this operation.  Representative samples were collected and turned over to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, which is continuing the investigation.

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL 

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Seventeen armed men were arrested during Operation Wall in Montemorelos, Nuevo León. Gulf Cartel Group Metros of Reynosa Captured in Nuevo Leon.

 CHAR

THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED BY N+MAS 

DECEMBER 20, 2025 

A total of 17 armed men were arrested following the activation of Operation Wall during the early hours of Saturday, December 20, in the municipality of Montemorelos, Nuevo León, as a result of coordinated intelligence efforts between federal and state authorities. According to official information, investigative work and strategic analysis detected the incursion of an armed group into Nuevo León territory, which led to the immediate activation of Operation Wall to locate and apprehend them.

This operation is being implemented permanently in rural municipalities of the state of Nuevo León with the objective of preventing the entry and movement of criminal groups, through coordination between federal and state forces.

The deployment was led by the Nuevo León State Police (Fuerza Civil), in coordination with the Federal Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, the National Guard, the Secretariat of National Defense, the National Intelligence Center, the Attorney General's Office, the Nuevo León Attorney General's Office, and the State Investigation Agency. Thanks to this joint action, authorities were able to locate and arrest the 17 individuals, seizing a significant arsenal and tactical equipment.

During the operation, the following items were seized:

• 14 long guns
• 94 magazines,
• 2 handguns with two magazines,
• 8 ballistic helmets
• 14 ballistic vests, seven tactical vests,
• 1 jacket with a police emblem,
• 1 jammer device,
• 2 drones
• Various materials for the manufacture of explosives.

Authorities emphasized that the seizure of this equipment represents a significant blow to the operational capabilities of the arrested group. The identities of those arrested in Montemorelos, whose ages range from 18 to 39 years old, are as follows:

• Diego Iván N.,
• Eduardo N.,
• Francisco N.,
• Javier N.,
• Óscar Osvaldo N.,
• Juan de Dios N.,
• Emmanuel N.,
• Kevin Abdiel N.,
• Héctor Enrique N.,
• Carlos David N.,
• Óscar Adrián N.,
• Miguel Ángel N.,
• Grember Aldair N.,
• Jesús Guadalupe N.,
• Gustavo Adolfo N.,
• Juan Jesús N.
• Félix Osmar N.

The Nuevo León State Police and federal authorities reported that they maintain a police presence in the citrus-growing region and that Operation Wall remains active, while intelligence work is being carried out to reinforce security in the area.

SOURCE: N+MAS 

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Pretrial detention ordered for relatives of "Los Chapitos". Father in law and brother in law of Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar will remain in prison.

 CHAR 

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

Financial operators of "Los Chapitos" linked to drug and arms trafficking are arrested in Jalisco.

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office charged Mario N. and Mario Alfredo N., relatives and financial operators of the criminal group known as Los Chapitos, before a federal judge for their probable involvement in several crimes.

The defendants are Mario Alfredo L., 44 years old, alias "Siete," brother-in-law and financial operator of Iván Archivaldo G., known as "El Chapito," and Mario L., 69 years old, alias "Niño," father-in-law and also identified as a financial operator of Iván Archivaldo G.

During the hearing held at the Puente Grande Courthouse, the judge declared their arrest by federal forces legal and ordered their pretrial detention, after the defense requested an extension of the constitutional deadline of 144 hours to gather evidence in their defense.

Mario N. was charged with drug offenses, specifically possession with intent to distribute, in the form of selling methamphetamine hydrochloride; possession of a firearm and ammunition for the exclusive use of the armed forces; and money laundering.

Mario Alfredo N. was charged with drug offenses, specifically possession with intent to distribute, in the form of selling methamphetamine hydrochloride and fentanyl; possession of firearms and ammunition also for the exclusive use of the Army and Armed Forces; and money laundering.

The judge ordered both men held in pretrial detention until the resumption of the hearing, at which time it will be determined whether there is sufficient evidence to formally charge them with the aforementioned crimes.

Both men were arrested on Tuesday in an operation carried out by the Attorney General's Office and the Mexican Army, which raided two residences in the Bajío de Zapopan and Vallarta Universidad neighborhoods.

During the operation, authorities seized seven bags of drugs, four handguns, ammunition, magazines, two SUVs and a luxury vehicle, a motorcycle, cell phones, and cash.

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL 

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"Frozen" in San Lázaro: 30 Initiatives Against the Recruitment of Minors by Organized Crime

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The Chamber of Deputies is keeping "frozen" at least 30 initiatives presented during the current legislative session to criminalize the recruitment of children and adolescents by organized crime, and to punish this crime with sentences of 20, 35, 50, and even 140 years in prison.

MILENIO reported this Monday that the Mexican government has made preventing the recruitment of minors under 18 a priority for the next four years, according to the National Program for the Protection of Children and Adolescents 2025-2030 (Pronapinna).

The Network for the Rights of Children in Mexico (Redim) estimates that between 145,000 and 250,000 children and adolescents are at risk of being recruited by organized crime due to their socioeconomic circumstances.

Legislators from all parliamentary groups have stressed the urgency of punishing those who enlist, hire, or abduct minors to force them to participate in the commission of crimes, illicit activities, or armed actions, but so far none of these proposals have progressed.

Pueblos Fundadores (CRAC-PF) presented 19 minors to eventually become part of the community police force.

However, in an interview with MILENIO, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Kenia López, expressed confidence in the willingness of the various political forces to reach agreements and approve the reform against the criminal recruitment of children and adolescents in the next ordinary session.

“Clearly, there is forced recruitment of young people, of adolescents, and that must be stopped. I hope that we can build the agreement so that, in the session that begins in February, this bill becomes an approved law, goes to the Senate, and then becomes effective law to benefit families in Mexico,” emphasized the PAN legislator and proponent of one of the initiatives on this matter. López maintained that the reform must consider both preventive and punitive aspects to prevent the recruitment of young people, but also to severely punish those who recruit them and force them to commit crimes.

The urgency to criminalize and punish the recruitment of minors by organized crime in the Federal Penal Code gained renewed momentum after the assassination of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo,  on November 1, at the hands of Víctor Manuel Ubaldo, a 17-year-old identified by the Michoacán Attorney General's Office as a hitman for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

“It's a criminal act to force them to commit a crime, as has been clear in several cases, such as that of Carlos Manzo. 17 years old, that is, perhaps that young man who is no longer alive, who committed a very serious crime, was recruited in that way. How many young people, minors or young adults, are used by organized crime? We must put a stop to the exploitation of our young people by organized crime,” said Congressman Ricardo Mejía of the PT party, a proponent of another of the initiatives.

Minors participate in protest against recruitment of children by organised crime.

The legislator from Coahuila assured that the Justice Committee plans to convene its members in January to discuss the proposals and establish the criminal offense of forced recruitment of minors by criminal organizations.

“Who is this aimed at? Against the criminal organizations that, through social media, false job offers, or any other means they can use to deceive and then force young people; they recruit them and then turn them into informants, lookouts, and hitmen for organized crime,” he said.

Life imprisonment for recruiters

Among the 30 "stalled" initiatives to define and punish the recruitment of minors by organized crime, the one presented by PAN deputy Héctor Saúl Téllez, and supported by his parliamentary group, stands out for its severity, proposing a sentence of up to 140 years in prison.

“The crime of unlawful recruitment is committed by anyone who uses, enlists, recruits, hires, incorporates, captures, admits, or abducts, and demands, forces, or coerces children and adolescents to participate directly or indirectly in the commission of one or more crimes, illicit or violent activities, hostilities, or armed actions. This crime shall be punishable by eighty to one hundred and forty years of imprisonment,” the initiative states.

With varying nuances in the definition of the crime and differences in the proposed penalties, legislators such as the coordinator of the PRI parliamentary group, Rubén Moreira; the leader of the MC caucus, Ivonne Ortega; Deputy Margarita Zavala, from the PAN; Naty Jiménez, from Morena; Felipe Delgado Carrillo, from the PVEM, as well as Kenia López and Ricardo Mejía, among others, have presented their respective initiatives on the matter, awaiting committee review and discussion in the plenary session.

Seven states at high risk of recruitment

In its hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on November 20 in Miami, Florida, the Network for Children's Rights in Mexico warned that, according to research conducted in 2021 and updated in 2025, between 145,000 and 250,000 children and adolescents are at risk of being recruited or used by organized crime groups in Mexico.

“Recruitment occurs primarily in territories where violence and impunity have become normalized. REDIM's studies show common patterns in Veracruz, Michoacán, Mexico City, Puebla, Chiapas, the State of Mexico, and Jalisco, where poverty, school dropout, domestic violence, armed presence, and a lack of protection guarantees converge,” it stated. The organization warned that Mexico lacks a comprehensive, sustained, and specialized public policy to prevent, identify, address, and provide reparations to victims of recruitment, while the current legal framework neither recognizes recruitment as a distinct crime nor guarantees that recruited adolescents are recognized as victims.

Society and self-defence groups call for measures against recruitment for crime. 

Therefore, it urged the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to issue a recommendation to compel the Mexican State to criminalize the offense, establish prevention and early identification mechanisms, and adopt a national program for disengagement and comprehensive reparations.

Sources: Milenio, Borderland Beat Archives

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José Ramón López Beltrán, Son of AMLO, is Caught on Camera Leaving a Luxury Shop in Houston

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

José Ramón López Beltrán, son of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was caught on video leaving the luxury store Loro Piana with a Hermès bag. The images show the young man in Houston, Texas, in one of the most exclusive shopping areas in the United States.

In the video, shared on social media by Vampipe, López Beltrán is seen wearing a black sweatshirt and carrying a shopping bag from the French brand Hermès in his right hand. As he leaves the establishment, he looks around and glances at the camera filming him.

Loro Piana, an Italian luxury brand, is known for its "quiet luxury," characterized by the absence of flashy logos and by prioritizing quality, discretion, and timeless design. According to information from specialized websites and resellers, the brand sells coats, bags, and shoes with prices ranging from 50,000 to over 150,000 pesos.

This isn’t the only recent case involving AMLO's family members. Last July, Andrés López Beltrán, better known as "Andy," another of López Obrador's sons, was seen during a trip to Japan, where he stayed in luxury hotels and was photographed leaving a Prada store.

What other politicians or officials have been caught enjoying luxuries?

Both incidents have added to a series of accusations and controversies regarding the lifestyle of various public figures, in contrast to the austerity discourse promoted by the former president.

Among the cases mentioned are that of Congressman Ricardo Monreal Ávila, seen at an exclusive hotel in Madrid, a city where his ally Pedro Haces Barba also vacationed.

And that of the Secretary of Public Education, Mario Delgado Carrillo, photographed at the Pousada de Lisboa hotel; as well as that of the politician from Veracruz, Miguel Ángel Yunes Linares, photographed in Capri, Italy, after becoming an ally of Morena after leaving the PAN (National Action Party) to join the ruling party's bloc in the vote on the judicial reform.

Loro Piana 4444 Westheimer Rd Bldg F Houston, Texas

Source: Los Noticieristas

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