Mexican Authorities Apprehend Alleged Jalisco Cartel Leader 'R2'

Highlights

• Rafael Alvarez, also identified as 'R2,' a suspected chief of the CJNG's 'Los Rs' cell, was taken into custody.
• The operation leading to Alvarez's arrest took place in Zapopan and involved a shootout, during which he sustained injuries.
• Intelligence provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was crucial to the success of the operation.
• The 'Los Rs' cell is implicated in a range of criminal activities, including extortion, drug trafficking, murder, unlawful detention, kidnapping, and assaults on public officials.
• Alvarez is reportedly connected to the deaths of at least 19 individuals, notably the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo.

Details

Mexican security officials announced the arrest of Rafael Alvarez, alias 'R2,' an alleged senior member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), on Sunday in Zapopan, within the Guadalajara metropolitan area. The capture, which involved a shootout where Alvarez was wounded, was supported by intelligence shared by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to Mexico's Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch, the 'Los Rs' cell, which Alvarez is believed to lead, is involved in various offenses, including extortion targeting business owners and avocado producers, drug dealing, homicides, illegal detentions, abductions, and attacks against authorities.

Alvarez is currently receiving medical attention for his injuries. He faces an active warrant in Mexico for aggravated homicide and another for his potential extradition to the United States. The operation, which also saw the apprehension of 19 other individuals, included participation from Mexico's National Intelligence Center. Alvarez is linked to the killings of at least 19 people, including the 2023 murder of Carlos Manzo, the popular mayor of Uruapan in Michoacán state, a significant avocado-producing region.

Operating primarily in Jalisco and Michoacán, the CJNG was designated a "foreign terrorist organization" by the U.S. government in 2025. This cartel is notorious for its violent methods and assaults on government personnel, and it is a major competitor to the Sinaloa Cartel in the drug trade into the U.S. Following the reported death of CJNG founder Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera in February, several high-ranking members have been apprehended.

Why it matters

This arrest represents a significant blow to one of Mexico's most formidable criminal organizations. While the apprehension of key leaders like Alvarez demonstrates ongoing efforts to dismantle these cartels, the problem of disappearances and kidnappings persists in regions where these groups are active. Jalisco, in particular, records the highest number of missing persons in Mexico, underscoring the ongoing challenges in ensuring public safety despite these high-profile captures.