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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 19 sources · 17 days · First seen · Last updated

Mexico-El Salvador transnational gang enforcement

Overview

Mexican and Salvadoran authorities have conducted coordinated operations to apprehend high-profile Salvadoran gang members residing in Mexico.

In September 2026, Mexican authorities detained José Ventura, known as ‘El Muerto’, a member of the Barrio 18 ‘18 Revolucionarios’ faction. Ventura was listed among El Salvador’s 100 most wanted criminals and was allegedly a ‘gatillero’ or hitman. Salvadoran Minister of Security Gustavo Villatoro confirmed the arrest, noting Ventura had escaped to Mexico, and stated the government intends to repatriate him.

In October 2026, authorities in Tapachula, Chiapas, arrested César Oswaldo ‘N’, an alleged leader of the ‘Sureños’ gang known as ‘El Pupito’ or ‘El Sniper’. He was wanted for multiple homicides, including the murder of six women, as well as terrorism, extortion, and rebellion. The arrest was facilitated by information sharing with the Transnational Anti-Gang Center (CAT). The suspect was handed over to the National Institute of Migration for deportation to El Salvador.

Entities

César Oswaldo ‘N’ · Sureños · José Erwin Wilberto Ventura Cerón · Modesto Murillo Gutiérrez · Chiapas State Attorney General's Office

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 8 sources
    Chiapas authorities arrest Salvadoran gang leader accused of multiple murders

    A Salvadoran gang leader accused of killing six women was arrested in Chiapas, Mexico, while authorities in Honduras and El Salvador continue operations against 18 and MS-13 gang members.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 12 sources
    Mexico arrests Salvadoran gang member ‘El Muerto’

    Mexican authorities arrested José Ventura, alias ‘El Muerto’, a notorious Barrio 18 gang hitman and one of El Salvador’s 100 most wanted criminals, following his escape to Mexico.

Sources

affaritaliani.it · deultimominuto.net · elsoldechiapas.com · gaceta.mx · hch.tv · hondurasalinstante.com · lagacetaonline.com.ar · lahora.gt · lanoticiasv.com · lucesdelsiglo.com.mx · marquesina.mx · montecristinoticias.com · noticiaspv.com.mx · policianacional.gob.hn · prensa-latina.cu · ruta135.com · tribuna.com.mx · tribunanoticias.mx · tvn-2.com