Cintalapa, Chiapas— Federal forces delivered a decisive blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), dismantling operations at two fortified ranches tied to Juan Valdovinos, alias “El Wachi.” The coordinated raid near the Guatemalan border revealed the tools of a regional empire: weapons, drugs, and a system built on control and fear.
A Hidden Stronghold
On December 23, federal agents, the Army, and the Navy raided El Vergel and El Guamuchil, two rural properties in Cintalapa. Inside, they uncovered tactical vests marked with CJNG insignias, firearms, and caches of illegal drugs. Investigators believe these ranches were controlled by “El Wachi,” a CJNG operative leveraging Chiapas’s strategic smuggling corridors.
The operation was carried out with precision. There were no leaks or early warnings, just a focused effort to dismantle key cartel infrastructure. The properties’ locations, chosen for their proximity to trafficking routes, highlight CJNG’s calculated dominance over these territories.
Capturing “El Cangrejo”
Hours later, in Benemérito de las Américas, federal forces captured Selvin “N,” alias “El Cangrejo.” A Guatemalan national and alleged leader of a cross-border drug network, Selvin’s arrest signals CJNG’s reliance on transnational collaboration. The 50-year-old was quickly handed over to Guatemalan authorities, underscoring the operation’s international scope.
Corruption’s Grip
The raids also exposed a darker reality: CJNG’s influence extends deep into Chiapas’s local institutions. In Tuxtla Gutiérrez, nine municipal and two state police officers were arrested for their alleged roles in forced disappearances. Their arrests lay bare the cartel’s ability to infiltrate law enforcement, using these forces to protect its operations and intimidate rivals.
Meanwhile, in Pantelhó, federal agents uncovered another arsenal—rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and improvised explosive devices—evidence of the cartel’s readiness for conflict.
Mica’s Analysis
The federal raids on CJNG’s operations in Chiapas represent an important step forward, but they also expose the fragile state of the government’s fight against organized crime. Chiapas is not just a battleground; it’s a prize. Its location, bordering Guatemala, provides a critical smuggling route for drugs, weapons, and people heading north to the United States. Control of these corridors translates into immense power, and CJNG has invested heavily in securing this territory.
What sets this operation apart is the coordination. Federal forces moved with rare precision, avoiding the leaks and betrayals that so often undermine high-profile raids. They knew exactly whose ranches they were targeting and acted decisively, dismantling infrastructure and capturing key players like Selvin “El Cangrejo.”
Yet, the systemic rot remains. The arrests of corrupt police officers in Tuxtla Gutiérrez underscore the persistent challenge of eradicating the cartel’s influence. CJNG thrives not just because of its resources but because it knows how to exploit local institutions. Without addressing these weaknesses, victories like this will remain temporary.
The capture of El Cangrejo is significant, disrupting the cartel’s cross-border logistics, but it’s unlikely to cripple its operations. CJNG is highly adaptable and capable of rebuilding and redirecting its efforts. The challenge isn’t just dismantling their infrastructure—it’s in maintaining pressure and eliminating the corruption that allows them to thrive.
These raids provide a glimpse of what’s possible with coordination and actionable intelligence. But Chiapas, with its strategic value, will remain a flashpoint in the war against CJNG. For now, the cartel has taken a hit, but the question remains: will it be enough to stop them from rebuilding?
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4 Comments
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Martillo
Have you ever heard of operacion martillo?
CJNG has been taking hits lately. That’s a good thing. They have been the main ones causing all these conflicts. It’s about time they’re recipients of the government’s full attention and a little more. They have definitely earned it.
Everyone but Mexico is helping. lol I have heard this, buy never did a deep dive.
I’m writing a novel and one of my themes is the drug war…the other is the middle east. It takes place the year the US left Iraq 2011.
My character is a marine who is burned out on far away, forever wars and thinks this effort would be more relevant to fight for.
It looks like it’s still ongoing.