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Alleged CJNG Hitman, "R1," Arrested in Mexico; Mastermind of Ex-Mayor's Murder
🇲🇽 Mexico /Crime & Justice

Alleged CJNG Hitman, "R1," Arrested in Mexico; Mastermind of Ex-Mayor's Murder

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Mexican authorities have arrested Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, known as "R1," identified as the mastermind behind the assassination of former Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo.
  • "R1" is allegedly a leader of "Los Rs," a violent cell linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) operating in Michoacán and Jalisco.
  • Despite facing five previous criminal proceedings for offenses including kidnapping and organized crime, "R1" had been released due to circumstances like faded evidence and uncooperative witnesses.

Mexican authorities have apprehended Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, identified by the alias "R1," who is accused of orchestrating the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the former mayor of Uruapan. The announcement was made on July 30th by Omar García Harfuch, Mexico's Secretary of Public Security and Citizen Protection.

He is pointed out as the intellectual author of the homicide of the former president of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, assassinated in November 2025.

— Omar García HarfuchIdentifying "R1" as the mastermind behind the assassination.

According to Harfuch, "R1" is a leader within "Los Rs," a particularly violent criminal cell associated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This group reportedly operates in key regions of Michoacán, including Apatzingán, Uruapan, and Morelia, as well as in the neighboring state of Jalisco. "R1" has previously been linked to the cartel and faced charges related to organized crime.

He is pointed out as the leader of 'Los Rs,' one of the most violent criminal cells linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

— Omar García HarfuchDescribing "R1's" alleged role within the CJNG.

Despite his alleged involvement in serious criminal activities, "R1" had previously been released from federal prison. Records indicate that on November 24, 2022, he was released from CEFERESO No. 11 after a federal judge ordered his freedom. At that time, he was reportedly facing five ongoing criminal proceedings for charges including kidnapping and organized crime.

Ramón Álvarez was released from CEFERESO number 11 after his release was ordered by the First District Judge of Federal Criminal Proceedings in the State of Jalisco.

— Ricardo Mejía BerdejaDetailing the circumstances of "R1's" previous release from prison.

Officials stated that "R1" was absolved in these cases due to various factors, such as the dissipation of evidence, the non-appearance of witnesses, and insufficient grounds for conviction by the judge. He was initially arrested in 2012 with his brothers, also alleged members of the CJNG. At that time, "R1" was reportedly responsible for directing actions against rival cells and, under orders from "El Mencho" (CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes), coordinated the cartel's expansion into Guanajuato and Michoacán.

He was absolved of all criminal proceedings for various circumstances, such as the fading of evidence, non-appearance of witnesses, and lack of elements for the judge to prove guilt.

— Ricardo Mejía BerdejaExplaining why "R1" was acquitted in previous cases.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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