Overview
- Federal marines and security forces wounded and arrested Rafael Álvarez Ayala, known as “R2,” during a raid at the Sabea restaurant that took place on November 8 and he remains hospitalized under federal guard in Guadalajara.
- About 20 people who were detained at the same operation were moved from the FGR offices to the federal prison at Puente Grande for initial hearings and extended investigation time requested by prosecutors.
- Among those arrested with R2 is Fernando Omar “El Fénix,” a suspected CJNG regional boss, while four members of the norteño group Los Arras and restaurant staff were also held, prompting family claims some detainees were working and raising due-process questions.
- Separate federal operations on November 11 led to the arrest of 14 alleged Sinaloa Cartel members in Chiapas and the seizure of 12 long guns, dozens of magazines, hundreds of rounds and 17 ballistic vests, and to the capture of José Alberto “Beto Leyva” in Tijuana on a U.S. arrest warrant.
- Authorities say Mexico’s CNI worked with U.S. agencies including the DEA and HSI to locate targets, a cooperation that may degrade cartel logistics but now shifts focus to hospital-based hearings, extradition requests and clarifying which detainees are criminal actors or civilian bystanders.