In one of the most intense military operations recently recorded in the Tierra Caliente region of Michoacán, federal forces dismantled a cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in the municipality of Huetamo. The operation, which included the use of fighter jets, resulted in the arrest of seven people (nine are visible in released images) and the seizure of an arsenal.
The operation was carried out through a series of simultaneous raids on various strategic properties. During the operation, authorities captured four men and three women, alleged members of the criminal organization, who are now in the custody of the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office.
What distinguished this operation was the scale of the resources deployed. Witnesses and official reports confirmed the participation of:
Mexican Air Force fighter jets.
Armed helicopters from the Mexican Navy (SEMAR).
Ground units from the National Guard and federal forces.
Unofficial sources indicate that the deployment of such a large military force was aimed at capturing Audias Flores Silva, alias “El Jardinero” (The Gardener). Flores Silva is identified by security agencies as the right-hand man of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” and one of the highest-ranking commanders within the CJNG’s global structure.
However, the same sources indicate that El Jardinero fled before the operation was deployed; that is, someone leaked the information to him. No hitmen were arrested, but people linked to the group were. Media outlets beholden to the CJNG and relatives of those arrested deny any connection.
Huetamo represents a crucial point for organized crime due to its geographical location. Its direct border with the state of Guerrero makes it a key corridor for drug trafficking and the movement of armed groups. The dispute over this territory has kept the region in a state of constant alert for the last decade, pitting the CJNG cartel against local groups for control of the area.
The following items were seized at the scene:
High-powered weapons and ammunition.
Various tactical equipment.
Substances with characteristics of synthetic drugs.
After the arrests, the situation spilled into the streets. A group of family members and supporters of those involved gathered in front of the Civil Guard facilities, demanding the immediate release of the detainees.
The protest quickly escalated, leading to outbreaks of violence that forced law enforcement to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. During the incidents, several people required medical attention due to the effects of the irritant.
Although it has not yet been confirmed whether the seven detainees held mid- or high-level command positions, authorities emphasize that this blow weakens the cartel’s operational logistics in the area. Security in Huetamo remains reinforced with air and ground patrols to prevent possible reprisals following the detainees’ transfer.
