CJNG's 'Los Rs' cell exposed following arrest of leader 'El R1

The arrest of Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, known as 'El R1,' has exposed the operations of 'Los Rs,' a violent criminal cell within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Led by the Álvarez Ayala brothers—Ramón, Rafael ('El R2'), and Jesús Santiago—the group has maintained a significant presence in the strategic regions of Jalisco and Michoacán for over 14 years.

According to reports from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), 'Los Rs' operated with high autonomy, allegedly requiring only a phone call to notify CJNG leader 'El Mencho' before carrying out murders. The group is linked to several high-profile crimes, including the assassination of former Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo and the killing of influencer Valeria Márquez.

Intelligence reports from the Mexican Army suggest 'El R1' holds a high-ranking position within the CJNG, potentially serving as the second-in-command. The group's influence extends across multiple municipalities, including Huandacareo, Tacámbaro, and Morelia in Michoacán, as well as the Guadalajara metropolitan area in Jalisco.