Ministerial authorities in Nuevo León killed Zeferino Peña, alias “Don Zefe,” the alleged leader and founder of Los Zetas.
His death occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 23, during an operation at a ranch located in the municipality of Santiago.
As part of an investigation, agents were deployed to the area, and upon arrival, they were attacked by gunfire from two individuals.
In response, agents from the State Investigation Agency returned fire, resulting in one agent being wounded by gunfire.
The agent was transported to a hospital for medical treatment, and his condition is currently reported as stable. According to the Nuevo León Attorney General’s Office, initial investigations established that one of the individuals killed was Zeferino Peña, alias “Don Zefe,” a suspected member of a high-impact criminal group originating in the state of Tamaulipas.
Furthermore, the man was identified as the founder of a group dedicated to illicit activities, and this description corresponds to Zeferino Peña Cuéllar.
“Don Zefe” was a high-ranking member of the Gulf Cartel, who, according to journalist Diego Enrique Osorno, began by forming an initial group of former military personnel who would later become Los Zetas.
“Don Zefe” intended to establish an armed cell in Nuevo León.
The State Attorney General’s Office detailed that intelligence work allowed them to identify Zeferino Peña as being linked to drug trafficking and distribution activities in Nuevo León, as well as his intention to form an armed criminal cell in the state.
