Bullet Point Summary:
• Mexican soldiers captured 10 members of a Sinaloa cartel faction led by Aureliano Guzman Loera, known as “El Guano.”
• Three of the closest allies of “El Guano,” including his right-hand man, chief bodyguard, and financial/logistical aide, were among those detained.
• The operation in Tamazula relied on intelligence provided by the United States.
• Authorities seized multiple weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices during the raid.
• “El Guano” remains at large with a $5 million U.S. reward for information leading to his arrest.
Tamazula, Mexico – Mexican soldiers carried out a significant operation that resulted in the capture of 10 members of a faction of the Sinaloa cartel, the military announced Thursday.
The detentions targeted individuals linked to Aureliano Guzman Loera, alias “El Guano,” the brother of convicted drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Among those captured were three of “El Guano’s” closest allies — his right-hand man, chief bodyguard, and financial and logistical aide.
The raid took place in Tamazula, a mountainous village near the border between the states of Durango and Sinaloa, an area where “El Guano” has exercised significant influence. The operation was backed by intelligence provided by the U.S., according to Mexican authorities.
In addition to the arrests, Mexican forces seized multiple weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices. This marks the latest effort against the cartel faction, following a previous deployment of Mexican marines with helicopters to the same region in December.
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is currently serving a life sentence in the United States. His associates have been involved in conflicts over control of the Sinaloa cartel. The U.S. State Department has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to “El Guano’s” arrest and conviction.
The successful operation highlights ongoing binational cooperation focused on intelligence sharing in efforts against cartel activities in the region.