Arrest of Notorious Cartel Leader Draws Attention
The recently captured leader of the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) has a significant history of political connections. He assumed control of a local cell while serving as the state police chief in Tabasco, Mexico, and is accused of using police resources against rival factions. The CJNG is among the six Mexican cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States.
Authorities in Paraguay apprehended Hernan “El Abuelo” Bermudez, the former police chief of Tabasco and a prominent figure within the CJNG’s Barredora Cell. Following his arrest, Omar Garcia Halfucci, who leads Mexico’s top law enforcement agency, announced a joint operation on social media between Paraguayan and Mexican officials. Bermudez is expected to be extradited to Mexico, facing multiple charges related to organized crime.
The arrest drew congratulations from both Paraguayan President Santiago Pena and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who labeled Bermudez as one of the most wanted individuals in Mexico.
According to reports, Bermudez fled in January upon learning that authorities were pursuing him. By July, a red notice from Mexican authorities prompted Interpol to step in and facilitate his capture.
The situation surrounding Bermudez’s arrest has generated considerable speculation and political upheaval, partly due to his close relationship with former Tabasco Governor and ex-Secretary of Home Affairs Adan Augusto Lopez.
The Barredora, or Streetsweeper, has garnered notoriety within Mexico for its ruthless effectiveness against rival criminal groups. Under Bermudez’s leadership, it’s believed that several police officers worked within this enforcement unit while in uniform.
This legal situation unfolds amid increasing pressure from the U.S. government on Mexico to seriously investigate and combat drug cartels. The stakes are high for President Claudia Sheinbaum, especially as key figures within her party, including Adan Augusto Lopez and the son of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, have faced accusations related to organized crime.
