Mexican authorities managed to capture six hitmen suspected of being involved in the murder of U.S. Marine Nicholas Douglas Quets, a tragic event that took place on October 18 in the state of Sonora, on the northern border of Mexico. This incident prompted criticism from the upcoming Vice President of the United States, JD Vance.
The arrest of the suspects occurred last Friday after inspecting safe houses belonging to the criminal group Los Deltas, led by Erick Cabrera, alias 'El Delta 1', who is the head of the armed wing of Los Chapitos of the Sinaloa Cartel. Among those detained is Francisco Federico, identified as the material author of the crime, as well as José Aarón, who is also in custody.
After the murder in the municipality of Altar, the Mexican Army shot down two hitmen who tried to intercept the U.S. Marine. The six recently arrested suspects range in age from 20 to 32 years old, with some hailing from Sinaloa and others from the state of Durango. Three of the detainees claimed to be relatives of Erick Cabrera, confessing their affiliation with the criminal group Los Pelones de Sonoyta and their armed wing Los Deltas.
JD Vance used this crime during Donald Trump's presidential campaign to illustrate the impact of violence from Mexican criminal groups on American citizens, promising to seek justice at an event in Arizona.
The tragic event that cost the life of the U.S. Marine occurred when, after picking up his girlfriend and mother-in-law in Arizona, he crossed the border into Sonora in a truck heading to Puerto Peñasco for a vacation. On the route along Interstate 43 Altar-Sáric, they were intercepted by a group of hitmen who attempted to stop them. Faced with the threat, the Marine accelerated but was reached and directly attacked on the Mexico Federal Highway 2, section Altar-Caborca, losing his life on the spot, while the women emerged unscathed.
