Operation Mungus Azteca: The Capture of Ovidio Guzmán López

In the early hours of January 5, 2023, a patrol of the National Guard in Jesús María, Culiacán, Sinaloa, spotted a suspicious convoy of six vehicles. When the agents tried to stop the convoy, they were unexpectedly attacked, leading to a shootout and a subsequent chase to a farmhouse. Despite the aggressive actions of the suspects, the National Guard and army members managed to corner the enemy at the residence, capturing 18 individuals, including Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of El Chapo Guzmán.

The official Mexican government version of the operation, known as Mungos Azteca, is considered incomplete. Extensive documentation, leaked information, and analysis from specialists reveal that the operation was a result of a precise collaboration between American and Mexican intelligence agencies, Mexican special forces, and was far more epic than portrayed. The operation was a joint effort that surpassed the narrative presented by the government.

Ovidio Guzmán López, also known as 'El Ratón,' is the 33-year-old son of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, a former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Ovidio became involved in the family business from a young age, taking on a significant role in the cartel after his brother's death in 2008. Despite media claims, Ovidio is not the leader of the 'chapitos' faction within the cartel; that position is held by his older half-brother, Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán. The 'chapitos' faction controls a substantial armed force and drug trafficking operations in various Mexican states.

Ovidio Guzmán López was arrested on October 17, 2019, in Culiacán during a military operation, which later became known as 'El Culiacanazo' or 'Black Thursday.' The incident resulted in widespread violence in Culiacán, prompting threats against civilians and military personnel. Due to the escalating situation, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ordered the release of Ovidio Guzmán to prevent further chaos.

In January 2023, the joint operation between the United States and Mexico to capture Ovidio Guzmán, son of El Chapo, did not start with a casual pursuit by the National Guard as officially stated. Instead, it had its beginnings about six or seven months earlier, with intelligence agencies from both countries working together since May 2021. The operation involved sophisticated radar processing systems utilizing land, air, and sea resources to detect and prevent illegal activities. This collaboration aimed to gather extensive information on the Guzmán family, particularly Ovidio, culminating in the launch of Operation Mungus Azteca on August 1, 2022.

Operation Mungus Azteca, launched on August 1, 2022, was a joint effort between Mexican intelligence agencies, specifically the Sedena intelligence section and the CNI (National Intelligence Center), in collaboration with the United States. The operation focused on intercepting communications within the Sinaloa Cartel, including informants and escorts of Ovidio Guzmán. Utilizing aircraft with telecommunications interception technology, the operation obtained crucial information, with precise details coming on August 8 and 9, 2022, when US intelligence conducted aerial operations, pinpointing the exact location of targets and eavesdropping on their conversations to gather actionable intelligence.

A significant intercepted communication revealed the proximity of operatives to Ovidio Guzmán, known as El Ratón. In a dialogue between individuals identified as uim1 and uim2, uim1 mentioned speaking with 'the old man' and later clarified it was not urgent. Uim2 indicated they would check with the boss to schedule a meeting. This seemingly innocuous exchange confirmed the close association of these operatives with Ovidio Guzmán, providing crucial insights into his inner circle.

During a conversation, uim1 reaffirmed loyalty to uim2, stating 'you and the boss, el ratón, will always have my loyalty.' This conversation took place in Jesús María, where Ovidio Guzmán was later arrested. This interaction showcased uim1's leadership role within the faction of the Cartel.

On August 8, 2022, intelligence intercepted a message from Halcones warning about a Mexican Navy convoy approaching. Subsequently, Halcones identified a small plane in Culiacán controlled by the chapitos, leading to instructions for surveillance. Additionally, intercepted messages revealed the activities of special forces teams and the use of coded language like 'cooking barbecue' to indicate training with Guatemalan special forces.

Ex-operators of the Guatemalan special forces, known for extreme training and military efficiency, are confirmed to be training members of various Mexican cartels. This training is provided by a group of special forces operatives from Guatemala, known for their history of combating revolutionary movements.

Communication intercepted involving cs Mochomo requested information on a black Ford Raptor truck loaded with rifles, likely destined for the chapitos. The term 'Mochomo' is used by ethnic groups in northern Mexico to refer to ants, indicating a common nickname in the region.

Critical intelligence revealed that Guzmán and his escorts frequently traveled from a house in Culiacán to a ranch near Jesús María in Sinaloa. This information, obtained from leaked intelligence, highlighted key locations for Guzmán's movements, aiding in intelligence operations of both countries.

The capture of 'El Ratón' by the Mexican government was not a random event but the result of a meticulously planned and intelligence-driven operation that lasted several months. Prior to the operation, residents of the military housing unit '21 de marzo' in Culiacán were asked to vacate the premises under the guise of renovations, as it had been a target of the Sinaloa Cartel. Additionally, Mexican Air Force T6 planes had been conducting reconnaissance flights in key municipalities like Cosala, San Ignacio, Elota, and Culiacán, identified as bases of the cartel's gunmen and hitmen.

On January 4, 2023, a day before 'El Ratón' was captured, Colonel General Alfredo Salgado Vargas was appointed as the new commander of the ninth military zone based in Culiacán, encompassing all of Sinaloa. General Vargas, known for his integrity and intelligence, previously led the Special Reaction Force. This timely appointment was a deliberate measure to divert attention and prevent cartel infiltration of Operation 'Musgos Azteca'. The Sinaloa Cartel has connections at all levels, including politicians, military personnel, police, and civilians, making information leaks a significant risk.

Mexican and U.S. forces obtained crucial information in August 2022, leading to the planning of the operation executed on January 5, 2023. Extensive investigations and surveillance were conducted to confirm intelligence, determine enemy movements, escape routes, and weaponry. Despite facing challenges such as heavy enemy armament and operating on hostile territory, Mexican special forces meticulously planned the operation with the constraint that only Mexican agents could participate to avoid international political repercussions.

Special reaction forces, including members of the Special Forces Brigade and the Special Forces Corps of the Mexican Army, carried out the final phase of Operation Mungus Azteca to capture Ovidio Guzmán. The operation involved a confrontation between Mexican special forces and the Chapitos cartel members at the Jesus María estate in Culiacán, Sinaloa.

During the operation, the Mexican special forces successfully captured Ovidio Guzmán and 18 others, despite facing intense gunfire from the cartel. Approximately 10 to 12 Mexican special forces operators lost their lives in the operation. Ovidio Guzmán was later extradited via a Mexican Air Force helicopter from the Jesus María estate to the Mexico City International Airport.

After the capture, Ovidio Guzmán was swiftly transported by helicopter from Culiacán, Sinaloa, to the Mexico City International Airport. To ensure his safety, a decoy convoy was used to mislead potential attackers. Subsequently, Guzmán was transferred by a Fendo helicopter to the El Altiplano Federal Center for Social Readaptation, a high-security prison in Mexico.

In response to the events surrounding Ovidio Guzmán's capture, Mexican forces deployed 3000 army and National Guard personnel across Sinaloa to quell uprisings. Despite efforts to neutralize cartel attacks, the operation resulted in the unfortunate death of Colonel Juan José Moreno Urzúa, commander of the 43rd Infantry Battalion based in Tepic, Nayarit, during an ambush in Palmilla, Sinaloa.

Ovidio Guzmán, a member of the Cartel, was captured on March 7, 2023, in Mungos Azteca, resulting in the loss of 29 lives, including 10 military personnel and 19 cartel members. Legal proceedings ensued, with a judicial suspension preventing his immediate extradition to the United States. During a video conference with the judge, Guzmán's defense, comprising eight lawyers, claimed mistaken identity to delay or thwart the extradition process.

Despite legal maneuvers by Ovidio Guzmán's defense to delay extradition, it is likely that he will follow his father's path and be extradited to the United States. While legal challenges have temporarily halted the process, the final decision remains uncertain. In April 2022, Ovidio's half-brother, Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, leader of the Chapitos, was designated by the DEA as Mexico's top public enemy, indicating a precarious future for him.

The speaker expresses gratitude to the newspaper Contra Línea and the YouTube channel México SF for their intelligence gathering and sharing of information related to the events. The video is dedicated to the fallen Mexican soldiers in Operation Mungos Azteca, specifically honoring Commander Juan José Moreno Sua for his service and sacrifice.

The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to subscribe and activate notifications. Signing off as Jorge Rojas from Armapedia, he wishes everyone an excellent day.