After President Claudia Sheinbaum announced an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump to postpone the imposition of tariffs for a month, Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch reported the detention of a criminal leader in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. This individual, identified as Ricardo "N" or "El Ricky," is accused of leading attacks against the Armed Forces in the region.
In a statement, Harfuch confirmed that Ricardo "N" was arrested as a result of a joint operation by the Security and Armed Forces. He is noted as the regional leader in Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and Coahuila of the Northeast Cartel. The accusations against him include attacks on Armed Forces personnel and other crimes such as extortion, murder, and attacks against the Police.
According to the Security Secretary, Ricardo "N" has arrest warrants for various serious crimes. This individual is believed to have been involved in murders and actions against institutions and public officials. Additionally, he is accused of being the mastermind of several crimes in the region.
The announcement of this detention occurs in a context where President Trump had alleged ties between the Mexican government and organized crime. On the other hand, the agreement between Sheinbaum and Trump to avoid tariffs and strengthen security at the border has been key in this scenario.
According to investigations, Ricardo "N" was the second in command of the criminal group, surpassed only by Juan Cisneros Treviño, alias "Juanito Treviño." He is attributed with orchestrating armed attacks that resulted in casualties among military personnel and injuries.
Secretary Harfuch seeks to present concrete results from the discussions between Mexico and the United States to reduce tensions regarding security. Coordination between both countries in this area has been an important point, given Trump's demanding stance regarding drug cartels, which he has labeled as "terrorists." In this sense, Sheinbaum has insisted on the importance of maintaining effective coordination without subordination between both nations.
