Security minister: ‘R1’ ordered Manzo’s murder for defying cartel

Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds

• 🚨 ‘R1’ arrest detailed: Security Minister García Harfuch gave new details on Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, alias “R1,” alleged leader of a CJNG-linked criminal cell who was arrested Thursday in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, in connection with the 2025 assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo.

• 🔍 Álvarez’s criminal history: García Harfuch noted that Álvarez was first detained in 2012 for orchestrating violence in Guadalajara and Colima but was released in 2022, and was subsequently linked to other crimes, including the 2025 murder of influencer Valeria Márquez.

• 🔫 Manzo’s alleged mastermind: García Harfuch said intelligence work established that Álvarez ordered and financed the murder of Manzo, calling him the case’s main mastermind. His arrest is the 31st in connection with the case.

• 🩸 “Provocation” cited as motive: García Harfuch said detainees have pointed to “provocation” from Manzo — known for his hardline anti-crime stance and presence at security operations in Uruapan — as the motive, though he stressed the exact motivation for the crime is still being confirmed.

Why today’s mañanera matters 

At President Sheinbaum’s Friday morning press conference, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch provided details about the criminal history of a man known as “R1,” alleged leader of a criminal cell affiliated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

“R1” — who García Harfuch referred to as Ramón Ángel ‘N, but who was identified in media reports as Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala — was arrested in Jalisco on Thursday in connection with the murder last November of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, who was an outspoken anti-crime crusader. Álvarez is alleged to be the “autor intelectual,” or mastermind, of the attack on Manzo, who was shot during a Day of the Dead event in the main square of Uruapan, the second largest city in the state of Michoacán.

The arrest is one of the most significant in Mexico this year, and therefore the security minister’s remarks about the detained suspect at today’s mañanera were also significant. García Harfuch first announced the arrest on social media on Thursday.

García Harfuch speaks about ‘R1,’ the alleged mastermind of Manzo’s murder 

At the start of the press conference, García Harfuch told reporters that one of two people arrested during a federal security operation in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, on Thursday was “Ramón Ángel ‘N.’”

He said that the suspect is the leader of a criminal cell, Los R’s, that is linked to the CJNG.

“This operation is part of the national security strategy led by President Claudia Sheinbaum and represents a significant step forward in the weakening of one of the country’s most violent criminal structures,” García Harfuch said.

The other person arrested in the operation in Jalisco was an alleged member of Los R’s identified as Jesús Salvador “N.”

García Harfuch said that Los R’s operates in various municipalities in Michoacán as well as in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara and other parts of Jalisco. He said that the criminal cell is involved in drug trafficking and extortion, and has murdered members of rival groups.

García Harfuch said that authorities thoroughly investigated and monitored Los R’s and identified Ramón Ángel as its leader.

He noted that “R1” was detained in 2012 after he orchestrated a “day of violence” in Guadalajara and Colima city in response to the arrest of CJNG co-founder Érick Valencia Salazar, who earlier this year pleaded guilty to federal narcotics charges in the United States.

García Harfuch acknowledged that Álvarez was released from prison in 2022, before telling reporters that authorities established that he subsequently became involved in criminal activities once again.

He said that Los R’s is alleged to have carried out “multiple acts of violence” under his orders, including the 2025 femicide in Jalisco of Valeria Márquez, a Mexican beauty influencer.

Alleged mastermind of Uruapan Mayor Manzo’s murder captured in Jalisco

That crime, García Harfuch said, is linked to Francisco “N,” “former partner of the victim and son of Ramón Ángel ‘N.’”

The security minister said that investigations also allowed authorities to establish that Álvarez was linked to the “cowardly murder of Carlos Manzo, former mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán.”

“Regarding this case, which caused profound anger in Michoacán and the entire country, 31 arrests have been made,” he said.

“… Information obtained [by authorities] through intelligence work made it possible to identify that Ramón Ángel “N” ordered and financed the homicide of Carlos Manzo,” García Harfuch said.

“In this way, Ramón Ángel “N” is accused of being the main mastermind of the attack,” he said.

García Harfuch said that the Federal Attorney General’s Office and the Michoacán Attorney General’s Office have “solid evidence” against Álvarez that will be presented at upcoming court hearings.

What was the motive for Manzo’s murder?

García Harfuch said that statements from people detained in connection with the murder of Manzo indicate that the motive for the crime was “provocation” from the mayor, who was dubbed “the Mexican Bukele” for his hardline stance against organized crime.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele is credited with dramatically reducing violence in the Central American nation through his tough anti-gang policies and actions.

García Harfuch noted that Manzo — who advocated direct and forceful action against criminal groups and was known for wearing bulletproof vests — was present during some federal security operations in Uruapan in which arrests were made.

Suspects arrested in connection with the mayor’s murder “are those who mentioned this term of provocation [as a motive for the crime],” he reiterated.

“… What the exact motive was will be confirmed as the investigations advance,” García Harfuch said.

“But in the statements of the first people detained [in connection with Manzo’s murder], that’s what they’ve mentioned,” he said, referring to a “provocation” from the mayor directed at Los R’s.

García Harfuch noted that authorities don’t yet have statements from “the main suspect” — Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, the alleged mastermind of Manzo’s murder, who is now behind bars.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)