Live Thread: Juan Carlos Felix Gastelum 'El Chavo Felix' Captured In Culiacan, Sinaloa

 Borderland Beat Contributors 

Photograph By Michelle Rivera on Twitter (Photograph of Gastelum while detained by authorities) 

Juan Carlos Felix Gastelum 'El Chavo Félix,' a principal member of the 'La Mayiza' faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, was captured on January 18th during an operation conducted by the National Guard in the Quila community of Culiacán, Sinaloa. Initial reports alleged the criminal leader had been captured during an undisclosed operation in the region and attributed footage of Military helicopters flying in the region to be part of that alleged operation. 

(Footage capturing a Military helicopter allegedly taking part of the operation against Gastelum)

The arrest would be confirmed after Gastelum appeared in the National Detention Registry which reported the arrest took place at 3:58PM MST in a residence along Lázaro Cárdenas street (Coordinates: 24.426819271968963, -107.22424644018366), and indicates Gastelum is currently being transferred under the authority of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime. 

(Report by the National Detention Registry confirming Gastelum's capture)

Following the arrest a communication circulated through social media where an unidentified member of the rival 'Los Chaptios' faction mocked Gastelum's capture and urged Juan Pedro Gómez López 'El Comanche' to bring armored vehicles into Culiacan to fight, a translation is as follows: 

(Video communication published by CDS affiliated accounts regarding Gastelum's arrest)

Translation done by Sol Prendido

"You gang of...have finally seen how things really are. Where’s that support that you guys claimed to have had? According to you so many people would fight for you guys. So, where’s it at now? How much gunfire did you lose for that sloppy ass, how many of your gunmen perished in that fire?  

Make sure that...Comanche gets this message. This goes for that coward Comanche and his brother. Come to the capital. Apparently you’ve been winning for months out here and we have yet to see those results. 

You guys are nowhere to be seen out here. You’re having to mess with YouTubers because you know very well that you can’t overcome us. And that shit is set in stone. Look here Comanche. Come on out for that armed confrontation. Bring 10, 15, or 20 of your armored fighting vehicles. 

Make sure that’s what you come at us with. Don’t be cowardly about it either. Bring your war tanks and the support that you have. If you’re ready for this to go down then let’s do it right now. Man the fuck up and deploy this way. Let’s meet head on. What do you think? You...should already know that we don’t retreat. 

I’d really like to see you come through here. The teams of Juan and Jose Avéndaño are at the entrance of the battlefield. Those groups are enough of a force to ensure that you won’t get past them. Either way come this way so that we can fucking destroy you. 

It’s up to you Comanche. Are you once and for all ready for this? At this point it’s up to you if you’re down for this challenge or if you’re just a fucking coward about it. So, man the fuck up you pigs. We’re gonna be waiting for you  Long live the Chapiza mob."

According to Grillonauatas, López spearheaded the conflict against the Los Chapitos on September 9th, 2024 and was heard during a separate radio communication that circulated through social media on December 9th, 2024 where the criminal figure denied La Mayiza's involvement in recent attacks against Police. 

Photograph By DEFENSA (Gastelum following his capture) 

We'll keep you updated as the story develops.  

Sources: Hyperlinked In Text