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Mexico arrests suspected gang leader accused of ordering mayor’s killing

By Thomson Reuters Jul 30, 2026 | 5:34 PM

MEXICO CITY, July 30 (Reuters) – The alleged leader of a criminal cell linked to Mexico’s powerful Jalisco New Generation ​Cartel has been arrested for ‌ordering the assassination of a mayor in Michoacan state, Security Minister Omar Garcia said in a post on X on Thursday.

The slain mayor, Carlos Manzo ‌of ​the city of Uruapan, was ⁠known for publicly ⁠criticizing the Mexican government’s lack of action against crime in his region.

• The detainee, identified as Ramon Angel and known ​by the alias “El R1,” is the suspected leader of “Los Rs,” a cell allegedly ⁠linked to the Jalisco ⁠New Generation Cartel, Garcia said.

• ​The Los Rs group has engaged in extortion, ​homicide and drug trafficking, according to Garcia.

• ‌At least 31 people have been arrested for alleged links to the case, including a 17-year-old boy believed to have ⁠fired at the mayor who was then gunned down by security forces.

• The killing, in November ⁠2025, shocked ‌the country and triggered protests ⁠against insecurity.

• Manzo was succeeded ​as ‌mayor of Uruapan by his wife, ​Grecia ⁠Quiroz.

• Following the killing, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a plan to combat crime in the state, deploying more than 10,500 security force members.

(Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz, Editing by Daina ​Beth Solomon)