Mexico’s Navy says “El Prángana,” the alleged CJNG chief in Uruapan, was among 21 people detained in the Zapopan operation that captured “R2.”
Mexico’s Navy confirmed Tuesday that federal forces arrested the man they identify as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel’s local chief in Uruapan, Michoacán, during the November 8 operation that captured Rafael Álvarez Ayala, known as “R2.” Navy Secretary Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles identified the detainee as Fernando Omar Farías Chávez, known as “El Prángana” or “El Fénix.
The arrests took place at a restaurant in the Guadalajara metropolitan area located in Zapopan, near the city’s boundary with Guadalajara. Mexico’s National Intelligence Center helped locate R2 using information shared by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. R2 and a sailor were wounded in the ensuing gunfire; R2 was taken to a hospital. Morales Ángeles said 20 people were detained alongside R2, putting the Navy’s count at 21.
The arrest adds detail about who allegedly ran the cartel’s operations in Uruapan. Farías Chávez took charge there under R2 after the July arrest of Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, known as “R1.” Investigators cited in coverage linked Farías Chávez to extortion of avocado producers and local businesses, as well as kidnappings and disappearances. He had been arrested in 2016 and held in federal prisons in Sinaloa and Sonora. The November 10 briefing did not disclose what charges he faces in this case.
The operation also drew attention because authorities have linked R2 to the investigation into the killing of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo. Quadratín Michoacán reported, citing sources close to the investigation, that Farías Chávez was suspected of involvement in planning the killing. Morales Ángeles did not confirm that allegation or describe any role Farías Chávez may have played. In a separate development involving R2, a federal judge granted him temporary protection against extradition outside the required legal process.
