Mexico deploys over 130,000 troops after arrest of cartel leader, his financial strategist

Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said Tuesday that more than 130,000 troops have been deployed across the country to prevent coordinated attacks by cartels in retaliation for the arrest of a leader and his top financial strategist.

On Monday, Mexican forces dealt a blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) by arresting Audias Flores Silva, also known as “El Jardinero,” and Cesar Alejandro N, alias “El Guero Conta,” who was identified as his main financial strategist.

During the press conference, Harfuch said the arrests directly weaken the operational, logistical and financial capabilities of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an organization that has expanded its influence and power beyond the country. He added that an “immediate deployment of forces was ordered to contain possible reactions and guarantee public safety” involving 130,000 troops.

“El Jardinero” had been considered one of the possible successors to Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, more commonly known as "El Mencho,” the leader of the CJNG, who was killed by Mexican forces in February.

Joining Harfuch at the press conference were Secretary of the Navy Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Angeles, Secretary of National Defense Ricardo Trevilla Trejo and Guillermo Briseno Lobera, the commander of the National Guard.

According to Harfuch, Flores Silva has an active provisional arrest warrant for extradition on charges of criminal conspiracy related to drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms issued by the District of Columbia in the US.

“In addition, here in Mexico, he has a re-arrest warrant for homicide, along with other ongoing investigations led by the Attorney General’s Office,” he said.

In Jalisco, the CJNG stronghold where “El Guero Conta” was detained, security has been reinforced with federal, state and local forces totaling nearly 4,000 troops at identified high-risk areas, border zones, highways and prisons.

Additionally, the Navy has deployed more than 25,000 officers across the country to prevent violence from organized crime, according to Morales Angeles.

The forces are complemented by 107,000 National Guard troops deployed throughout Mexican territory.