A US Department of State wanted poster of Audias Flores‑Silva, known as 'El Jardinero,' one of the top commanders of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), obtained by Reuters from the US Department of State website on April 27, 2026. US DEPARTMENT OF STATE / VIA REUTERS
Mexican authorities announced on Monday, April 27, the capture of two top criminals, one of them a close ally of the slain founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and his potential successor. Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera died in February after being wounded in a shootout with Mexican soldiers in the western state of Jalisco, unleashing a wave of highway blockades and shootouts with security forces that left over 70 people dead.
Audias Flores Silva was El Mencho's "right-hand man" until the latter's death, security analyst David Saucedo told Agence France-Presse. He had been charged with forging an alliance between the CJNG and the "Chapitos," the faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by the family of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Saucedo added, citing US and Mexican intelligence sources. The think tank Insight Crime described Flores Silva, nicknamed "The Gardener" (El Jardinero), as one of El Mencho's possible successors.
