Mexican army captures cartel leader tipped to succeed 'El Mencho'

Mexico's army has captured a cartel leader tipped to succeed notorious drug lord "El Mencho".

Officials revealed Audias Flores Silva, also known as "El Jardinero" or The Gardener, was arrested while hiding in a roadside ditch near the community of El Mirador in the state of Nayarit, in the country's northwest.

He was the top figure in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which until February was led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or "El Mencho", who was killed in a military operation, triggering a wave of deadly violence.

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Mexico's government said no one was killed or injured during the arrest, but local news reported a number of cars and businesses were burnt following it.

The security situation in the country has been under heightened scrutiny as it prepares to co-host the World Cup this summer with the US and Canada.

The US had a $5m reward out for information leading to Flores Silva's arrest and his capture was praised by the country's ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, who said in a post on X that his arrest marks an "important step" in combating those who profit from fentanyl trafficking.

Mexican security analyst David Saucedo said it represents a "significant blow" to CJNG, which was still reorganising after the death of El Mencho.

But he told the Associated Press that such groups "can quickly reinvent themselves despite the arrest of their leaders" and continue their criminal activities.

Who is 'El Jardinero', and what is CJNG?

Mexican security officials say Flores Silva was the head of security for Oseguera Cervantes and helped lead the cartel's drug production and trafficking operations in four states.

At a young age, he served a five-year prison sentence in the US for drug trafficking before returning to Mexico after his release, before being arrested in 2016 for his alleged participation in an ambush against police in Jalisco and being released three years later.

The US has requested Flores Silva's extradition since 2021 to face charges of drug conspiracy and firearms possession.

The CJNG was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by President Donald Trump last year, along with five other Mexican cartels.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency has acknowledged CJNG's presence in 21 of Mexico's 32 states, with some analysts believing its presence extends to 25 states, with a stronghold in Jalisco.

The cartel's operations have also spread to around 100 countries, including the US.

(c) Sky News 2026: Mexican army captures cartel leader tipped to succeed 'El Mencho'