Mexican Army captures security chief of Sinaloa cartel faction

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) – Mexico’s armed forces captured Mario Alexander Gamez Cuevas on Thursday, the alleged enforcer in charge of security for 'Los Chapitos,' the Sinaloa cartel faction currently laying violent siege to its home state of Sinaloa.

The arrest of the man in charge of security for the sons of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera follows 10 days of intense violence in Sinaloa that has resulted in nearly 50 murders.

A joint operation between Mexico's Ministry of National Defense and the Navy resulted in the arrest of Cuevas and five other men in Culiacan, the capital of the state and stronghold of Los Chapitos.

Cuevas, alias El Piyi, is an infamous figure within the Sinaloa cartel, acting as chief of security for El Chapo's eldest son and the leader of Los Chapitos, Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar.

Mexico's National Registry of Detentions confirmed Cuevas' arrest, and he has reportedly been transferred to Mexico City, more than 850 miles (1,367 kilometers) from Los Chapitos' territory.

Following the arrest of the cofounder and former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, Ismael Zambada Garcia, better known as "El Mayo,” on July 25, the most powerful cartel in Mexico has endured a violent power struggle between the Chapitos and Zambada loyalists.

The civil war has resulted in at least 48 deaths, according to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during a morning briefing on Sept. 19, although the actual number of casualties could be higher.

Cuevas' arrest represents the first major takedown by Mexican authorities since the start of the wave of violence on Sept. 9.