- Mexican forces arrested 10 members of a Sinaloa Cartel faction led by Aureliano “El Guano” Guzmán
- The operation targeted top-ranking aides, including his right-hand man, bodyguard, and logistics coordinator
- The raid was supported by US intelligence, highlighting continued bilateral security collaboration
Mexican security forces have arrested key members of a criminal network linked to Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s brother, in an operation supported by United States intelligence.
According to Mexico’s military, a total of ten individuals affiliated with the faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by Aureliano Guzmán Loera were taken into custody.
The arrests took place in Tamazula, a remote mountainous community located along the border of Durango and Sinaloa states, an area long considered a stronghold of the group.
Among those detained were several high-ranking operatives within the network, including El Guano’s chief bodyguard, his closest aide, and individuals responsible for financial coordination and logistics.
Military officials revealed that the raid was executed using intelligence provided by the United States, underscoring ongoing cross-border cooperation in tackling organized crime.
The operation also involved Mexican marines and aerial support.
This latest crackdown follows a previous military deployment to the same region in December, when authorities attempted to apprehend Aureliano Guzmán but were unsuccessful.
The arrests come amid escalating internal conflict within the Sinaloa Cartel. Factions loyal to the Guzmán family are currently engaged in a violent power struggle with groups aligned with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who is also facing legal proceedings in the United States.
Meanwhile, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán remains imprisoned in the US, serving a life sentence. Two of his sons are also currently awaiting trial.
The operation has unfolded against a backdrop of diplomatic tension between Mexico and the United States.
Reports recently revealed that two American agents, believed to be affiliated with the CIA, were involved in an anti-narcotics mission in northern Mexico without clear authorization from the government of Claudia Sheinbaum.
President Sheinbaum has reiterated her administration’s stance against foreign military involvement, emphasising that while intelligence sharing with the US is acceptable, any on-ground operations by foreign agents must receive prior approval from Mexican authorities.
“We’ll use missiles,” Trump offers to help Latin America strike drug cartels
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United States President, Donald Trump, had urged the Latin American nations to deploy military force against drug cartels and even offered support through U.S. missile strikes aimed at narcotics kingpins.
Trump described Cuba as being “in its last moments of life” and called for tough measures from regional allies to combat organised crime.
The president officially announced the formation of a 17-nation “counter cartel” alliance, which the The White House described as a commitment by participating governments to employ “hard power” against security challenges.