Authorities Link Tío Lako Cell to Attacks

Reporting and context

El Financiero reports that Mexico’s Security Cabinet attributed attacks on National Guard personnel to a CJNG cell allegedly led by a man identified as Heraclio “N,” known as “Tío Lako.” The report says the authorities announced the detention of nine suspected CJNG members in Michoacán, including Heraclio “N”’s daughter and girlfriend, while the alleged leader remained sought by federal forces. The authorities said the cell operates in Michoacán and Jalisco.

According to the Security Cabinet, “Tío Lako” allegedly ordered attacks on National Guard personnel on Feb. 22, 2026, after the detention of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” El Financiero reports that Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said 25 National Guard members died in clashes with CJNG cells in Jalisco that day. The report also says Rubén “N,” known as “El Láminas” and identified as Tío Lako’s son, died in those clashes.

The Security Cabinet said the nine detainees were transferred to FGR facilities in Mexico City for further investigations and forensic work. Authorities also reported seizing 64 vehicles, including one armored vehicle, four 5.56-millimeter Minimi machine guns, two grenade-launcher attachments and eight improvised explosive devices. El Financiero places the operation within a broader federal security deployment in Michoacán, but the claims about Tío Lako’s role and the detainees’ alleged affiliations remain attributed to authorities.