Quintana Roo Authorities Announce 248 CJNG Arrests Amid Nationwide Violence Wave

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office has arrested 248 alleged members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) since 2025, officials announced at a press conference in Cancún. State Prosecutor Raciel López detailed that authorities made the arrests across multiple municipalities including Benito Juárez, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres, and Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

“They come from states including Campeche, Mexico City, Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Querétaro, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas, primarily to recruit,” López said.

Authorities also seized 98 firearms from the criminal group — 63 long guns and 35 handguns — which López said reflects their attempts to establish a presence in the state.

Among the notable arrests, police captured eight CJNG members in Playa del Carmen with 17 firearms, tactical vests, and ammunition. Another six members of the “Jaguares Delta” faction were arrested in Benito Juárez with eight firearms and are implicated in the murder of an investigator from the Prosecutor’s Office assigned to drug trafficking cases.

López highlighted the capture of Ernesto Guadalupe, known as “El Rayo,” identified as the CJNG leader in Playa del Carmen.

Nationwide Violence Following Cartel Leader’s Death

The arrests come amid a wave of violence that has spread across multiple Mexican states following the death of CJNG leader Rubén Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” during a federal operation in Jalisco on February 22.

In Quintana Roo, incidents included the burning of 15 vehicles in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and on the highway toward Leona Vicario, plus damage to two commercial establishments. State officials confirmed no civilians were injured in these incidents and reported nine arrests of alleged perpetrators.

In Baja California, at least three highway blockades occurred on Sunday morning in Ensenada, San Quintín, and on the Tijuana-Tecate highway. Governor Marina Ávila reported 20 arrests and no injuries.

Aguascalientes’ Public Security Department reinforced its Shield Operation along state borders but has not reported any arrests. State police, coordinating with federal and municipal forces, intensified patrols on dirt roads, trails, streets, and communities, particularly in areas bordering Jalisco and Zacatecas, following vehicle burnings on highways 45 and 70.

In Zacatecas, violence spread to the southern part of the state with highway blockades reported in at least 11 municipalities, fires at eight Banco del Bienestar branches, and attacks on four Oxxo convenience stores, leading to school and service suspensions. Authorities have not confirmed any arrests related to these attacks despite security operations.

Just on February 12, following an armed attack against Zacatecas Immediate Reaction Forces, authorities confirmed the arrest of four people, including Flavio Alberto N, alias “El Braca,” the alleged CJNG plaza boss in Tabasco. The attack occurred on a highway in Villanueva municipality during the transfer of the detainee.

In Michoacán, authorities have not reported arrests from the violence that affected at least 32 municipalities with highway blockades and vehicle burnings. Fifteen state and federal officers were injured during the violent incidents, which continued into Monday in some areas, particularly Aguililla.