**SEDENA Captures ‘El Kiki’, Alleged Leader of Los Pelones and Operator for Los Chapitos in Sonora**
On November 6, 2024, elements of the Mexican Army successfully apprehended Ramón Enrique “N”, known as ‘El Kiki’, who is identified as a key financial and operational figure within the criminal organization known as Los Pelones. This group is a faction linked to Los Chapitos, also known as Los Menores or Los Chiquillos, which includes the infamous sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán: Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, and Joaquín and Ovidio Guzmán López.
According to a statement from the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA), El Kiki was a top leader of Los Pelones and was held responsible for being a major contributor to the violence in Sonora. The arrest was executed in Caborca, Sonora, following extensive intelligence work by the National Intelligence Center (CNI) and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) under the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
Authorities reported seizing three high-powered firearms, four magazines, over 300 rounds of ammunition, drugs, and two vehicles from the site. El Kiki, along with the confiscated items, has been handed over to the Federal Public Ministry in Hermosillo, Sonora. Local and national media have alleged that he was involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, homicide, and kidnapping. El Kiki was also said to have connections with Eric Jesús “N”, also known as “Delta 1”, who leads the Deltas group in Sonora.
Their rivalry with the groups Los Salazar, Los Cuzas, and Los Alfas, who oppose Los Chapitos, revolves around control of drug smuggling routes and illegal arms trafficking from the United States into Mexico.
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**Secondary Article: Rising Violence in Sonora Linked to Organized Criminal Struggles**
In recent years, Sonora has witnessed escalating violence as a result of power struggles among various criminal organizations. Notably, the factions aligned with Los Chapitos have found themselves in ongoing disputes with rival groups such as Los Salazar, leading to increased confrontations.
This surge in criminal activity is largely tied to the lucrative control of drug trafficking routes and illegal arms smuggling corridors. These disputes have not only resulted in higher rates of violence but have also affected local communities, creating a climate of fear and insecurity.
The arrest of El Kiki is seen as a significant blow to Los Pelones, one of the factions allied with Los Chapitos, and may shift the balance of power among these criminal groups. However, enforcement actions alone are unlikely to completely dismantle these entrenched networks, as new leaders often emerge, perpetuating the cycle of violence and crime.
Efforts to address these issues require multifaceted strategies that involve cracking down on criminal operations, reinforcing local law enforcement, and fostering community resilience to reduce the appeal of organized crime. As authorities continue their crackdown on these groups, they are also calling for increased international cooperation to effectively curb the flow of illegal arms and narcotics crossing borders.