‘EI R2,’ the Alleged Leader of a CJNG Criminal Cell, is Captured in Jalisco

This Sunday, Rafael Álvarez Ayala—known as “R2,” the leader of a criminal cell within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel—was captured in Jalisco. His arrest was made possible through intelligence shared by the DEA. “R2” faces federal charges in the United States for arms and drug trafficking.

He was located after spending more than 20 hours at a party in a restaurant in Zapopan. “You need to clear out—they’ve got their weapons ready!” That was how the federal forces’ operation began, leading to the arrest of Rafael Álvarez Ayala, alias “R2,” who had remained inside the Savea restaurant in Zapopan for over 20 hours. 

The alleged leader of the “Los R” cell—accompanied by several others—had reportedly arrived at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday to attend a celebration at the establishment, located at the intersection of Avenida México and Terranova. The party continued until midday Sunday, when restaurant staff asked the attendees to leave; however, they refused—and they were brandishing high-caliber weapons. 

Two hours later, federal forces began surrounding the location. An order was reportedly given for the group to leave in smaller numbers to avoid drawing attention—but then, a shootout broke out. Finding himself cornered, “R2” opened fire with a 10mm pistol. During the exchange of gunfire, a member of the Navy was wounded. 

By 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Álvarez Ayala was carried out on a stretcher, having sustained injuries to his shoulder, abdomen, and leg. He was transported by ambulance to the Guadalajara Civil Hospital, where he remains in intensive care following surgery. Rafael Álvarez Ayala—alias “R2” or “El Barbas”—is the brother of Ramón Álvarez Ayala (“R1”), who was arrested in Atotonilco last July. 

“R2” is a high-ranking member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the alleged leader of “Los R,” a criminal cell with a presence in the states of Jalisco and Michoacán. He was also wanted in the United States for drug and arms trafficking. There is an outstanding arrest warrant for his extradition to that country, where he could face up to two consecutive life sentences. 

The DEA celebrated his capture and commended the Mexican authorities. Although the Álvarez Ayala brothers were arrested in September 2012 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, they were acquitted following a judicial ruling in 2022. They are accused of being the masterminds behind the murder of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manso. 

In addition to “El R2,” 19 other individuals were arrested at the Savea restaurant—among them Fernando Omar Farías Chávez, alias “El Prángana,” who operated in Uruapan, where he extorted avocado business owners and carried out kidnappings. 

The other detainees—all men between the ages of 21 and 37—hail from the Guadalajara metropolitan area, as well as the states of Sinaloa, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Michoacán; the group also includes a citizen of California and an Argentine national. Outside the FGR (Attorney General’s Office) building, relatives of the detainees arrived, claiming that those arrested were employees of the establishment, along with four members of a musical group called “Los Arras.” 

The Argentine-themed restaurant, Savea, has been shut down. According to neighbors, the establishment has changed its business concept at least five times; it most recently opened its doors just last October. “When they started remodeling it, and I saw that all the windows were tinted and covered in black, I thought, ‘Oh no, this is going to be one of those rowdy nightspots that causes trouble all night long.'”

Source: NMás