Four CJNG members, including “El Joker” a hitman commander responsible for ten murders & ordering another 15, were killed in a police shootout in El Alpuyequito, Colima on Saturday. In 2025, El Joker was arrested and sentenced to 3 years for carrying a firearm, but was conditionally released after paying a 500 peso (USD 28) fine.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Armed Attacks in Celaya Leave Two Dead and Two Injured in Santa Rita and Villas del Bajío Neighborhoods
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
The attacks left two people dead and two others injured in incidents that occurred just minutes apart in different neighborhoods of the city.
Two armed attacks recorded overnight in the municipality of Celaya resulted in two fatalities and two injuries.
Monday, March 16, 2026
Three Suspected CJNG Hitmen Arrested in Chiapas
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
In a joint operation involving state and municipal forces, authorities detained three individuals this Saturday, March 14, 2026, who have been identified as alleged members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The detainees are believed to be directly linked to a series of homicides perpetrated in recent weeks within the municipality of Huixtla.
"Pepe" of the CJNG Has Been Captured; He Transported "El Mencho's" Girlfriend Prior to his Death
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Members of the Mexican Army Special Forces and the National Guard arrested José N—better known as "Pepe"—who is considered one of the principal logistical operators for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
"Pepe's" arrest took place during ground patrols in the municipality of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, where federal agents located the CJNG member and seized drugs, weaponry, and a vehicle from him.
Friday, March 13, 2026
An Axe, A Knife, And A Machete With The CJNG
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
There’s a moment within this video where an axe head comes down so hard against a fallen captive’s neck that you actually get a good glimpse of blood spraying out. If there was ever a point in time where you could gauge that someone has permanently left this world, this would be it.
Whoever this enslaved man was, he obviously exited the world right away. His screams were short-lived, if that. The same can’t be said about his counterpart. Those final moments were longer as he kept trying to wiggle away from the sharp weapons being used against him.
Pleas for mercy are explicitly heard from both men. At one point the captive who lives a little longer is heard asking to be killed once and for all. It’s fair to say that the agonizing pain that he’s in is that unbearable.
Assassins from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) go about their business without compassion.
Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz
Source: José Díaz
Five CJNG Members Arrested for Retaliatory Attacks after El Mencho's Death in Ixhuatán, Chiapas.
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
Five CJNG members were arrested for their participation in retaliatory attacks after El Mencho's death and sending threatening audio messages to local authorities in Ixhuatán, Chiapas.
Five CJNG members were arrested for their participation in retaliatory attacks after El Mencho's death and sending threatening audio messages to local authorities in Ixhuatán, Chiapas.
Video: CJNG Ambushes Zacatecas Police with Landmine in El Rayo
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
CJNG members used an improvised landmine against a Fuerza de Reacción Inmediata (FRIZ) police patrol in the rural town of El Rayo, in Pinos, Zacatecas on Monday. A video filmed by a CJNG member captured the explosion.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Gulf Cartel Metros Officer "El Cherrys" Arrested in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
Mexican federal authorities arrested "El Cherrys, the third in command of the Gulf Cartel Metros faction during a security operation in Reynosa, Tamaulipas earlier this week.
Blood, Hex and Money
El Armadillo for Borderland Beat
This piece does not come from formal reporting. It comes from personal curiosity and from years of natural conversation with believers, people from my own life, communities I have moved through. The witch is a familiar figure in Mexican and Mexican-American communities across the American Southwest. If you grow up around this, or spend enough time around people who did, you accumulate a working knowledge without ever setting out to.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Fourteen Suspected Hitmen Arrested With Rifles, Fentanyl, and Armored Vehicles in Two Operations in Culiacán
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Federal agents arrested 14 suspected hitmen in two separate operations in Culiacán, seizing rifles, armored vehicles, fentanyl, and other drug paraphernalia.
In the first operation, seven men were arrested at a residence in the Valle Alto neighborhood after authorities launched a major operation following a report of armed civilians.
The following items were seized:
7 civilians arrested.
1 armored vehicle, not reported stolen.
7 rifles.
2 handguns.
42 magazines.
1,260 rounds of ammunition.
3 tactical vests.
6 ballistic plates.
Various tactical equipment.
1 property secured.
Two women among those arrested
In a separate incident, federal agents raided three properties in Culiacán, Sinaloa, arresting five men and two women. They were found in possession of firearms, fentanyl pills, and other drug paraphernalia.
The items seized:
7 civilians arrested.
3 firearms.
2 vehicles.
3 magazines.
90 rounds of ammunition.
600 fentanyl pills.
3 properties.
Cash.
The 14 suspected criminals arrested and the drug paraphernalia seized in the two operations were turned over to the Attorney General's Office (FGR) for further investigation and to determine responsibility.
The Valle Alto neighborhood of Culiacán, Sinaloa.
Source: Luz Noticias
Mexican Navy Seizes Two Tons of Cocaine Off the Coast of Acapulco
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Let’s move on to security issues. Around 2 tons of cocaine were seized off the coast of Acapulco.
Members of the navy secured several packages containing the illegal substance in an operation involving aircraft, an ocean patrol boat, and a vessel. In response, the US ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, acknowledged the effort and the operation.
On his social media account, he said that it shows what we can achieve when we cooperate and share information in the fight against cartels. Yes, the ship arrived in Acapulco with the seizure.
Source: Milenio
Monday, March 9, 2026
"We've Said No": Sheinbaum Responds to Trump; Rules Out US Military Intervention in Mexico
“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Sheinbaum affirmed that Mexico will continue to say "no" to US military intervention, although it maintains intelligence cooperation on security matters
During the "Morning Press Conference" this Monday, March 9, 2026, held in the Gustavo A. Madero (GAM) borough, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo responded to the new and controversial statements by her US counterpart, Donald Trump, who asserted that Mexico is the "epicenter of drug cartel violence."
The head of the Mexican Federal Executive reiterated that her government has rejected the proposal to allow the entry of the US military to combat drug trafficking in Mexican territory; She also affirmed that her administration maintains a firm stance on national sovereignty.
"It's good that President Trump publicly states that he has proposed the deployment of the U.S. military to Mexico, we have said no, because it's the truth. We have said no, and we proudly continue to say no," the president stated, referring to the possibility of U.S. military forces operating in Mexico.
In the same address, the Mexican president explained that the Federal Government does maintain coordination with the U.S. on security matters, although she emphasized that operations within the country are the exclusive responsibility of Mexican authorities. She detailed that bilateral cooperation is primarily focused on intelligence sharing and other security-related activities, but without permitting direct actions by foreign forces.
Sheinbaum clarified that operations against organized crime in Mexico are carried out by "the Armed Forces, or the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC); the National Guard, or state police and prosecutors' offices. So, indeed, we have said no." And we have made progress; tomorrow you will see the security results, and we must continue to make progress in these areas.”
She also announced that security results will be presented this Tuesday, March 10, noting that her administration continues working to advance in this area.
Trump claims Mexico is the “epicenter of cartel violence”
Sheinbaum’s statements come after Republican businessman Donald Trump asserted that Mexico is the epicenter of drug-related violence in the region. The US president made these remarks during the inauguration of the Latin American Leaders Summit, dubbed “Shield of the Americas,” held in Miami, an event attended by more than a dozen male Latin American leaders.
During his speech, Trump maintained that “as part of our commitment to counter the presence of cartels in the region, we must recognize that the epicenter of cartel violence is Mexico.”
Despite his criticism, the US president also referred to his counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum as "a very good person" and mentioned that she has "a beautiful voice."
It's worth recalling that, previously, Trump had raised the possibility of bombing drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, a stance that has generated debate about security
Source: Tribuna
Saturday, March 7, 2026
CJNG Gunman Arrested with Recruitment Posters In Paraíso, Tabasco
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
A CJNG gunman was arrested by the military after they responded to reports of shots being fired at the Refinería Olmeca in Paraíso, Tabasco. Authorities found several firearms and two recruitment posters.
Friday, March 6, 2026
Cartel Attacks Police Base with Carbomb in Luis Moya, Zacatecas
By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat
A criminal group detonated a car bomb outside the Municipal Police headquarters in Luis Moya, Zacatecas yesterday leaving three officers injured.
