Mexico arrests alleged major leader of Jalisco cartel

Authorities in Mexico have announced the arrest of an alleged leader in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country’s two main criminal groups. “This cell is mainly ⁠linked to extortion, drug trafficking, homicide, illegal deprivation of liberty, kidnapping and attacks against authorities,” Mexico’s Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said.

Harfuch said on X that Alvarez was wounded in a shootout that broke out during the arrest and is receiving medical care. Alvarez has an outstanding arrest warrant in Mexico for aggravated homicide and another warrant for ⁠extradition to the US, Harfuch also said.

Authorities, including those from Mexico’s National Intelligence Center, also took part in the operation, which captured 19 other people. Alvarez is linked to the killing of at least 19 people, including last year’s murder of Carlos Manzo, the popular crime-fighting mayor of Uruapan in Mexico’s avocado-producing Michoacan state.