Chiapas authorities arrest Salvadoran gang leader accused of multiple murders

Authorities in Chiapas, Mexico, have arrested César Oswaldo ‘N’, also known as ‘El Pupito’ or ‘El Sniper’, a suspected leader of the 18 Sureños gang. The Salvadoran national is accused of multiple serious crimes, including the murders of at least six women in El Salvador, as well as terrorism, aggravated extortion, aggravated homicide, rebellion, and illicit drug trafficking.

The arrest was made in Tapachula following information exchange through the Transnational Gang Center. ‘El Pupito’ had reportedly been living in the Chiapas region for over two years. Following his capture, he was handed over to migration authorities for deportation to El Salvador to face pending judicial processes.

In separate regional law enforcement actions, authorities in Honduras arrested two individuals, known as ‘Chelito’ and ‘Pañal’, suspected of belonging to the 18 gang and participating in extortion activities in Tegucigalpa. Additionally, in Talanga, an 18-year-old suspected member of the MS-13 gang, known as ‘El Angelito’, was detained for drug trafficking.

In El Salvador, the Second Organized Crime Court sentenced 27 members of the 18 Sureños gang to prison terms ranging from 20 to 60 years for illicit association in the La Paz region.