Mexican federal authorities arrested Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, known as “El R1”, for orchestrating the November 1, 2025, assassination of former Uruapan municipal president Carlos Manzo. Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection Omar García Harfuch announced the capture, identifying the suspect as a primary leader of “Los Rs”, a violent criminal cell tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Arrest Details and Criminal Operations
According to Secretary García Harfuch, “Los Rs” operates across Apatzingán, Uruapan, Morelia, and parts of Jalisco. The organization engages in extortion, homicides, and drug trafficking, which directly harms local producers, business owners, and families. Federal officials confirmed that Álvarez Ayala’s arrest brings the total number of people detained in connection with Manzo’s murder to 31.
The operation forms part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s broader strategy to combat extortion and weaken criminal structures through intelligence, investigation, and coordination under the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice. García Harfuch credited the months of intelligence work to the Security Cabinet institutions, including the National Intelligence Center, the Attorney General’s Office of Michoacán, and the Secretariat of Public Security of Michoacán.
Historical Context and Prior Enforcement Actions
Federal forces previously targeted Álvarez Ayala over a decade ago. On September 9, 2012, the Mexican Army arrested him alongside his brothers, Rafael Álvarez Ayala (“R-2”) and Jesús Santiago Álvarez Ayala, in Jalisco. At that time, military reports identified Ramón Álvarez Ayala as a second-in-command within the CJNG and a close confidant of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”.
During the 2012 operation, authorities linked “El R1” to vehicle blockades and arsons across the Guadalajara metropolitan area and Colima. Security forces captured him inside a safe house in Guadalajara’s Zona Minerva, where he allegedly met with collaborators to coordinate drug trafficking activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala?
Known as “El R1”, Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala is identified by Mexican federal authorities as a primary leader of “Los Rs”, a violent criminal cell linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
What charges led to the recent arrest of “El R1”?
According to the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, Álvarez Ayala was detained as the mastermind behind the November 1, 2025, murder of former Uruapan municipal president Carlos Manzo.
How many suspects have been arrested in connection with the case?
Federal officials reported that with the capture of Álvarez Ayala, a total of 31 individuals have now been arrested in connection with the assassination of Carlos Manzo.