Mexican soldiers captured 10 members of a Sinaloa cartel faction led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's brother in an operation backed by U.S. intelligence, the military said Thursday.
Background
The raid targeted the faction of Aureliano Guzman Loera, known as "El Guano," and took place in Tamazula, a mountainous village near the border between the states of Durango and Sinaloa — a region where El Guano exercised his greatest influence. The operation involved Mexican marines supported by helicopters, deploying to the same sierra where El Chapo once evaded capture.
Aureliano Guzman is the younger brother of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in the United States. Two of El Chapo's sons are also awaiting trial in American courts. The capture operation comes amid an ongoing war within the Sinaloa cartel between factions tied to El Chapo's associates and those loyal to cofounder Ismael Zambada, who is also awaiting trial in the U.S.
The detention follows a previous operation in December when Mexican marines deployed to the same region in an attempt to capture Aureliano Guzman. The U.S. State Department has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
The Investigation
Among those detained were Aureliano Guzman's right-hand man, chief bodyguard, and a financial and logistical aide, according to a statement from Mexico's defense secretary. The raid was carried out with intelligence provided by U.S. agencies operating in coordination with Mexican military forces.
The operation unfolded amid heightened tensions between Mexico and the United States over cartel violence. The context includes a recent incident in which two CIA employees died in a car crash following a raid on a clandestine drug lab alongside two Mexican officials. President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration has rejected military aid offered by President Donald Trump, instead preferring intelligence-sharing arrangements while prohibiting foreign agents from participating in operations without federal authorization.
In recent months, Mexican authorities have dismantled numerous drug labs, including a major facility discovered in the Durango region in February where over 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine were neutralized.
Key Takeaways
- Ten members of Aureliano Guzman's Sinaloa cartel faction were captured in Tamazula, Durango
- Among those detained were the right-hand man, chief bodyguard and financial/logistical aide
- The operation was conducted with U.S. intelligence support
- Aureliano Guzman faces a $5 million reward from the U.S. State Department
- The capture area is the same Sierra region where El Chapo once operated
What's Next
Mexican authorities continue to pursue Aureliano Guzman's capture. The ongoing factional conflict within the Sinaloa cartel between El Chapo's associates and those loyal to cofounder Ismael Zambada remains a major concern for law enforcement on both sides of the border. The sons of El Chapo await trial in U.S. courts, while the capture of these key operatives represents a significant development in the ongoing struggle for control of one of Mexico's most powerful drug trafficking organizations.