‘El Güicho,’ leader of the ‘El R5’ armed group, killed on Michoacán-Jalisco border

Mexican Army personnel killed two members of an armed group during an operation near the border between Michoacán and Jalisco, according to security authorities.

The military convoy came under fire from armed men travelling on all-terrain vehicles near Los Reyes, Michoacán, and Santa María del Oro, Jalisco. The soldiers returned fire, and two attackers died at the scene.

Authorities identified one of the dead as Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, known as “El Güicho”, the leader of the armed group calling itself “El R5”. The United States government had offered a $3 million reward for information leading to his capture. One of his bodyguards was also killed, officials said.

The bodies were taken to the regional forensic medical service in Morelia for further proceedings and, where necessary, identification. Soldiers also secured vehicles, long and short firearms, and live ammunition.