“El Lobo” was arrested in Guadalajara in 2009 and also testified against Genaro García Luna, Secretary of Public Security in the government of Felipe Calderón, during the 2023 trial that found him guilty of having links to drug trafficking.
Another key witness was a Mexican prosecutor, who is still in office and testified in court under seal of anonymity and a false name. This official mentioned that “El Menchito” was in charge of ordering the downing of an Army helicopter in 2015, in which seven soldiers died.
According to his version, the aircraft was shot down to prevent the Armed Forces from arresting “El Mencho.”
The prosecutor also detailed the violence that occurred on May 1, 2015, when the CJNG shot down the helicopter of the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena) in Villa Purificación, Jalisco.
The trial will continue next week amid speculation that “El Menchito” allegedly agreed with U.S. authorities to betray his family and associates.
According to the country’s prosecutor’s office, the next witnesses to testify would include one of his uncles and other drug traffickers, whose identity has not been revealed. In addition, he will present as evidence recordings, telephone messages and emails intercepted from high-ranking members of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel.
