### Primary Article: Identity of ‘El Caimán’, Key Leader in Los Rusos Cartel Revealed
After four months of concerted efforts, both local and federal authorities have finally identified José Alonso Rocha Lazcano, also known as “El Caimán.” Rocha Lazcano, a 36-year-old from Sinaloa, is recognized as a crucial leader within Los Rusos, the primary operators for Los Mayos in Mexicali.
In February 2024, Baja California’s Coordination for Peace and Security Committee shared with TJGringo.com a dossier containing 11 profiles and names of top leaders in Los Rusos. This official intel confirmed many suspicions about high-profile criminal operators in Mexicali.
Notably, the dossier highlighted Jesús Alexander Sánchez Félix, also known as El Ruso, and his second-in-command Cipriano Alfonso Peralta Medina, alias El P1 or Ponchito de la Lima. Additional key figures included Jesús Gilberto Peralta Cázares (El 02), Israel Leonardo Trigueros Muñoz (El Isra), Javier Gabriel Mora Pino (La Piruja), and Gerardo Rueda Torres (El Tochín).
José Alonso Rocha Lazcano, however, remained anonymous until recently, with limited information available. Now definitively identified, he is recognized as a significant player within the criminal group.
### Tracking Down El Caimán
The transformation of Los Rusos under Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda’s administration saw a shift in dominance from Los Omegas to Los Rusos. Felipe Eduardo Barajas Lozano, leader of Los Omegas, was apprehended in late 2021, with his brother Christian Jael assuming leadership. Authorities eventually uncovered Rocha Lazcano’s identity through data shared by detained criminals and public records.
In January 2024, after Christian Jael and his close associates were eliminated, Rocha Lazcano rose to power, taking control over areas previously dominated by Los Omegas.
### El Caimán’s Operations
Los Rusos have diversified their activities in Mexicali, expanding beyond drug trafficking to include human smuggling, illicit alcohol sales, and more. Within this expansion, El Caimán has taken charge of human smuggling operations in eastern Mexicali.
Rocha Lazcano oversees a swath of illicit activities, supported by key allies such as Carlos Alberto Villaman Luna (El 61 or El Obama), Jesús Aarón Barraza Estrada, and Martín Emilio López Sulvara (El 50).
### A Surge of Violence
Recent arrests, such as that of López Sulvara and four others, revealed substantial caches of military-grade weapons and reinforced the extensive reach and violent capabilities of Los Rusos. Authorities continue to investigate links between El Caimán and multiple clandestine gravesites, highlighting the deep-rooted violence associated with these operations.
### Secondary Article: Increased Violence in Baja California Linked to Sinaloa Cartel
In Baja California, a surge in violence has been linked to ongoing clashes within the Sinaloa Cartel. Recent reports have detailed assassinations and public displays of power between factions vying for control.
Authorities have been identifying and dismantling smaller cells connected to larger cartel operations. This includes efforts against groups engaging in targeted assassinations and the spread of fear through public intimidation tactics, as evidenced by recent discoveries of threatening banners and graffiti directed at local officials.
The state’s security forces are intensifying their operations to mitigate these violent outbreaks, focusing on strategic arrests and intelligence sharing to undermine the cartel’s stronghold. The community remains on high alert as these internal cartel conflicts continue to disrupt daily life and public safety in the region.
Stay informed with TJGringo.com for further updates and in-depth analysis on this developing situation.