Mexican special forces arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero”, a senior commander of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of Nayarit, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on Monday (27 April).
Flores was a regional commander overseeing large stretches of CJNG territory along Mexico’s Pacific coast and was viewed by security analysts as a potential successor to cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, alias “El Mencho”, who was killed in a security operation in February.
Mexico’s Navy, which led the operation, said security forces surrounded a cabin in El Mirador, about 20 km north of the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, where Flores was protected by dozens of gunmen and vehicles. The Navy said the arrest followed 19 months of surveillance and was carried out without shots being fired.
“The operation was carried out with surgical precision,” it said, adding that Flores was located as he tried to hide after his escorts scattered as a diversion.
U.S. authorities are seeking Flores’ extradition and had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture, Mexican officials said. The U.S. Treasury previously designated Flores as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker, accusing him of overseeing drug production, smuggling routes and distribution networks into the United States.
Calling the arrest “a significant step forward,” U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said it targeted “those who profit from fentanyl and fuel violence,” as Mexico intensifies its campaign against powerful cartels under pressure from Washington.
The capture marks one of the most high‑profile blows to the CJNG since El Mencho’s killing and comes as Mexico’s security strategy faces heightened scrutiny ahead of the country’s co‑hosting of the FIFA World Cup with the United States and Canada later this year
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The U.S. government has awarded 10 construction contracts worth $4.5 billion to expand border security infrastructure along the southwest border.
Texas has halted new funding for construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, a major policy shift after four years of investment in one of Governor Greg Abbott’s flagship immigration initiatives.
U.S. officials highlighted new barriers and military support at U.S.-Mexico border near San Ysidro, citing a drop in illegal crossings.
Three Venezuelan migrants detained in New Mexico have asked a federal judge to block their potential transfer to Guantanamo Bay, fearing indefinite detention at the U.S. military base. The men, who fled Venezuela seeking asylum, claim their prolonged detention violates U.S. law.
Disney+ has debuted Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language, a new collection of animated musical sequences reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL), released on 27 April to mark National Deaf History Month.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
Market reaction to DeepSeek’s preview of its next-generation artificial intelligence model has been relatively subdued, in sharp contrast to the global shock triggered by its breakthrough releases last year.
Adidas shares rose after Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe delivered a historic performance at the London Marathon on Sunday (26 April), becoming the first athlete to run an official marathon in under two hours.
China’s reaction to the latest tensions around Iran has been firm in tone but restrained in action. It has condemned strikes, called for dialogue and stepped up diplomacy but shown no sign of military involvement or appetite for escalation.
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The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.
The man accused of opening fire at a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump was charged on Monday (27 April) with attempting to assassinate the U.S. President and could face life in prison if convicted.
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday afternoon for a four-day visit. The visit has gained added prominence following the White House Correspondents’ dinner shooting and growing tensions between the close allies.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have begun a landmark visit to the U.S., aimed at reinforcing ties between the two allies at a sensitive moment. The trip comes as security concerns rise in Washington and political tensions persist over foreign policy.
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