Suspected cartel leader wanted by the United States is captured in Mexico in an operation aided by DEA intelligence.

Mexican authorities announced Sunday the arrest of the regional leader of a powerful cartel wanted by the United States.

The arrested suspect was identified as Rafael Alvarez, alias “R2,” who led a cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) linked to homicides, drug trafficking and extortion of avocado industry entrepreneurs.

The CJNG was designated a “foreign terrorist organization” by the US government in 2025 and is known for its violent tactics and attacks against authorities.

It competes with the Sinaloa cartel for drug trafficking to the United States, but since the death of its founder, Nemesio “El Mencho” Osegueraduring a military operation in February, several of its main leaders were apprehended.

The drug gang operates in the states of Jalisco and Michoacan.

Alvarez is also linked to the murder a year ago of Carlos Manzopopular mayor known for the way he took on organized crime.

The Mexican Navy posted an image of Alvarez on social media after his arrest.

The kingpin was injured in a shootout that broke out during the operation to capture him and is receiving medical treatment, Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said on X. Nineteen other people were arrested, along with Alvarez, he said.

The trafficker was located using information shared by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Harfuch added.

The DEA said in a social media post that “R2” was wanted in the United States on drug and firearms charges, calling the suspect “a senior leader of the CJNG terrorist organization responsible for drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings and deadly violence across Mexico.”

The U.S. Department of Justice said R2’s brother, Ramon Alvarez Ayala, aka “R1,” was arrested in Mexico earlier this year on the same charges.

The announcement comes just weeks after security forces in Mexico arrested an alleged CJNG leader accused by the United States of drug trafficking and a large-scale fuel smuggling operation. Authorities said Ivan Cazarin Molina (aka “El Tanque” – meaning “The Tank”) was captured in the town of Zapopan, Jalisco state.