Mexican Court Blocks Extradition of ‘El Jardinero,’ Alleged Successor of ‘El Mencho’

Toluca, State of Mexico — A federal court in Toluca on Thursday halted the extradition of Audias Flores Silva, alias “El Jardinero,” who is believed to be the successor of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” as leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

In case file 407/2026, the Second District Criminal Court in the State of Mexico reported that Flores Silva filed an amparo petition against his extradition, which was accepted by presiding judge Azucena Lazalde Íñiguez.

According to the court document, “El Jardinero” argued that his extradition process was initiated “outside of procedure.” After reviewing the request, the judge determined that executing the final of the three phases of the extradition process — the physical handover of the individual to the requesting state (in this case, the United States) — “would cause irreparable harm to the human rights of the complainant.”

Flores Silva was captured by Mexican Navy personnel on Monday, April 27, in the state of Nayarit. Authorities said the operation was carried out without a single shot being fired, despite the suspect being guarded by approximately 60 armed men.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) said it has opened a criminal investigation against Flores Silva for possible violations of the Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives. The agency also noted that the suspect faces an arrest warrant for extradition requested by U.S. authorities.

“El Jardinero” is described as the former head of security and a trusted associate of Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” the CJNG leader who was killed in a Mexican government operation on February 22 in Tapalpa, Jalisco.