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Mexico arrests alleged cartel cell leader linked to mayor's murder

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Mexico's navy said it captured Rafael "N", known as "R2", and detained 19 other people in Zapopan, Jalisco, on Sunday. The navy links him to the 2025 killing of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo and 19 other homicides.

The navy said its special operations unit carried out the raid with the security ministry. It used intelligence from Mexico's national intelligence centre and information shared by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The navy said Rafael "N" leads the "Los Rs" cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The navy said naval personnel came under armed attack and returned fire. It said the detainee and one naval officer were wounded.

Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said the suspect has an outstanding arrest warrant in Mexico for aggravated homicide. He said a warrant also exists for his extradition to the US. The DEA said the suspect was wanted in the US on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.

Garcia Harfuch said the cell is mainly linked to extortion, drug trafficking, homicide, kidnapping and attacks against authorities. In a social media post, he said its victims of extortion include business owners and avocado producers.

Key facts

Who
Rafael "N" (Alleged leader of the "Los Rs" CJNG cell, alias "R2", arrested in the operation); Omar Garcia Harfuch (Security minister of Mexico); Carlos Manzo (Former mayor of Uruapan, Michoacan, fatally shot during a Day of the Dead…); Mexico's navy (Carried out the operation through its special operations unit)
What
Mexico's navy said its special operations unit, in coordination with the security ministry and using intelligence from Mexico's national intelligence centre and information shared by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, captured the suspect and detained 19 other people. The suspect is allegedly linked to the 2025 killing of former Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo and 19 other homicides.
When
8 November 2026
Where
Zapopan, Jalisco, Michoacan
Status
Reported

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