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Guanajuato
governor Diego Sinhue Rodríguez announced the operation “Golpe de Timón” (Change of Direction) came to an end after federal and state authorities arrested José Antonio Yépez, aka “ El Marro ,” on August 2. Diego Sinhue announced his administration will now launch a new security stagey called “Guanajuato Seguro” (Safe Guanajuato).
The governor explained the operation against “El Marro” and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel lasted 17 months. He added that authorities will continue arresting more cartel members.
According to Diego Sinhue, the operation was successful because authorities regained control over Santa Rosa de Lima, dismantled the local gang, and restored peace in the community.
In total, state authorities made 515 arrests and the Attorney General’s Office made 970 arrests during the operation .
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Mexican authorities first launched “Golpe de Timón” on March 3, 2019. The army and navy were involved.
The operation had five main goals:
1. Cooperation between state and federal authorities
2. Regain control over the Santa Rosa de Lima community
3. Help the community to rebuild itself
4. Show the law is above any criminal organization
5. Dismantle the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and arrest “El Marro”
During a press conference, the governor and his security team said state authorities will prosecute, in collaboration with federal forces, all the criminal organizations that operate in Guanajuato.
Authorities said fuel theft and drug trafficking are the two trades attracting cartels to the state.
Nevertheless, despite El Marro’s arrest, violence has increased in Guanajuato. According to official numbers, authorities registered at least 123 homicides between August 3 and August 16.
The most violent days in the state were August 7,9, and 10, when authorities registered 12 homicides each day.
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The aftermath
Two days after authorities announced the operation “Golpe de Timón” had come to an end, the Mexican army and state forces searched a home where they found weapons and drugs that allegedly belong to the Santa Rosa de Lima.
State authorities released a statement to confirm the operation carried out at the Santa Rosa de Lima community; nevertheless, it is unknown if any cartel members were arrested.
Authorities seized bullet-proof vests, weapons, grenades, uniforms, marijuana, among other objects.
"Golpe de Timón”
The operation led state forces to arrest 516 members of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel; 303 members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel; 8 from Nueva Familia Michoacana; 7 from the Gulf Cartel; 3 Sinaloa Cartel members, and 13 from Unión de León.
Authorities also seized 677 weapons; 18,364 ammunitions; 23 explosives; 14 grenades, among other objects.
Moreover, security forces recovered stolen fuel and seized marijuana, crystal meth, cocaine, and heroin.
Meanwhile, the local prosecutor’s office arrested 970 Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel members; 833 members of the CJNG. The FGE also recovers 266 vehicles; 105 motorcycles; 388 weapons; 50 grenades; drugs , and cash.
"El Marro"
The infamous cartel leader gained notoriety thanks to his violent tactics. In recent months, he released a video threatening the federal government after authorities arrested his mother and two other relatives.
In the video, he suggested the possibility of allying with northern cartels in a bid to defeat the CJNG. He also accused the federal government of collaborating with "El Mencho."
In another video, the cartel boss boasts about killing police officers in retaliation for his mother's arrest.
“El Marro” engaged in turf wars against “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel; one of the fastest-growing drug cartels in the world, to control Guanajuato.
José Antonio Yépez Ortiz began his criminal career in 2010 when he also was in charge of leading the drug market and haulers theft.
The rise of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel
The Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel was created in 2014 and their main criminal activity was fuel theft.
According to federal authorities, the criminal organization gained notoriety when “El Marro” became the cartel boss. In 2017, it started a war against the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel to control fuel theft, drug sales, kidnapping, and extortion in the area.
The cartel was named after the Santa Rosa de Lima community where its leaders hail from.
The Santa Rosa Cartel has control over clandestine taps and illegal fuel sales in the state.
The origin of Santa Rosa de Lima cartel dates back to 2014. In the beginning, it was a fuel theft group led by David “R,” aka “El Güero,” the then-boss of “El Marro.”
According to federal authorities, the group became relevant when “El Marro” became the leader of the criminal organization and, in October 2017, declared a war against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) for the control of fuel theft in Guanajuato, as well as drug sales, kidnapping, and extortion.
According to investigations of the Federal Police, El Marro’s close circle is comprised of 14 people, including his sister, who is allegedly in charge of illegal activities in Celaya.
The Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel operates in Celaya, Salamanca, Santa Cruz, Juventino Rosas, Irapuato, Valle de Santiago, and Villagrán.
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