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Top cartel lieutenant arrested after manhunt
Mexican marines seized Audias Flores Silva, known as "El Jardinero," on Monday in the western state of Nayarit, authorities confirmed. The 45-year-old was the second-in-command of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and a leading candidate to succeed the group's late founder, Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera.
Operation details
Approximately 500 security personnel surrounded a rural property before dawn. Helicopter footage released by the navy showed troops advancing on a concrete drainage pipe; Flores's legs were visible as he attempted to hide inside. Unlike El Mencho, who died in February from injuries sustained during a firefight, Flores surrendered without resistance.
Government response and fallout
Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch celebrated the arrest on social media, crediting the navy's "bravery, discipline, and dedication." President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration dispatched additional forces to Nayarit to deter retaliatory violence. Officials reported six vehicles and six businesses set ablaze by cartel members, though Nayarit's governor stated roads remained open and the situation was stable.
U.S. reaction
The U.S. State Department had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to Flores's capture. Ambassador Ronald Johnson called the arrest "an important step" in dismantling criminal networks that threaten communities on both sides of the border.
"Actions like this strengthen security and help dismantle criminal networks that threaten our communities."
Ronald Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
Broader implications
Flores's detention follows mounting pressure from U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, for Mexico to intensify efforts against drug cartels. Sheinbaum's government has faced scrutiny over its ability to curb cartel influence, particularly after El Mencho's death triggered violent reprisals across eight states.
