Sunday, February 15, 2026

2 narcos down, one in Chihuahua, another in Querétaro

Two high-ranking narcos are now behind bars after being arrested in Chihuahua and Querétaro.

René Gerardo Santana Garza, presumed leader of the Aztecas gang and believed to be one of the main instigators of violence in Ciudad Juárez, was arrested in Aldama, Chihuahua.

Federal Interior Secretary Alfonso Navarrete Prida wrote on Twitter that Santana, also known as El 300, is one of 11 drug lords warring over the control of drug trafficking operations in Juárez.

Santana is also believed to be responsible for attacks on the state police, making him a priority target for the Chihuahua Attorney General’s office.

He now faces at least three counts of homicide.

It is not the first time Santana has been captured by authorities. In September las year he was arrested but released after paying bail of 5,000 pesos (US $280) after the charges against him were reduced to carrying an unauthorized firearm and possession of drugs.

In Querétaro, a suspected Colombian drug smuggler who is wanted in the United States was arrested in fulfillment of an extradition order.

Ángel Humberto Chávez Gastélum is wanted for trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine from Colombia to the U.S. via Central America and Mexico.

Investigations have shown that the drug is being moved into the U.S. via express border crossings and in planes, ships and through tunnels.

Chávez, also known as Don Ángel, has been tied to a seizure of 3.5 tonnes of cocaine and for ordering a series of assassinations.

He now faces charges of crimes against health, organized crime, criminal association, operating with resources of illicit origin and homicide.

Source: El Universal (sp), Vanguardia (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
News quiz

The MND News Quiz of the Week: February 15th

0
Skaters, soccer stadia and sporting heroes: Have you been paying attention to the news this week?
Hombres juegan una partida de ajedrez en la Alameda Central, en el Centro Histórico, donde de manera habitual se reúnen los viernes

Mexico’s week in review: El Paso fiasco and China’s courtship complicate the diplomatic landscape

0
The grim discovery of the kidnapped miners' bodies in Concordia, Sinaloa, cast a dark shadow over a week already clouded by conflicting narratives from Washington, Beijing and Mexico City on matters of trade and security.
funeral in Zacatecas for miner

Sheinbaum casts doubt on ‘mistaken identity’ theory of Sinaloa miners’ abduction  

2
With five victims confirmed dead and five still missing, the president promised that investigators haven't ruled out the possibility of an extortion attempt gone wrong.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity