Mexican Army Delivers Powerful Blow to One of the Country's Most Violent Criminal Organizations

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico's most violent criminal organizations, suffered a new blow after the army arrested one of its most prominent commanders, two months after the cartel's leader was killed.

Odias Flores Silva, known as "El Jardinero" (The Gardener), who was viewed as a potential successor to the late leader, was arrested on Monday, as the United States had offered a reward of 5 million dollars for information leading to his arrest.

Mexican officials said the cartel's regional commander was arrested while hiding in a roadside trench near the "El Mirador" area in Nayarit state, without any casualties during the operation.

Flores Silva had been considered a potential successor to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", who was killed in a major military operation in February. His death triggered a wave of widespread violence by cartel members, including attacks on businesses, vehicle burnings, and road closures, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people, including 25 members of the National Guard.