A high-ranking leader of the Cartel del Noreste has been arrested in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, according to authorities. The individual, identified as Ricardo González Sauceda, also known as “El Ricky” or “Mando R.,” was taken into custody during an operation conducted by Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense with assistance from the navy, Attorney General’s Office, National Guard, and the Department of Security and Citizen Protection.
González Sauceda, 27, has two outstanding arrest warrants for attempted homicide, along with additional charges related to crimes against official institutions and public servants. Authorities have also linked him to multiple serious offenses, including extortion, homicides, and coordinated attacks on federal forces.
According to officials, on August 17, 2024, González Sauceda orchestrated an attack on the Mexican military in Nuevo Laredo, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to five others. He is also accused of the murder of six officers from the Nuevo León Civil Force.
Following his apprehension, Nuevo Laredo saw an immediate outbreak of violence. Gunfights erupted throughout the city, and vehicles were used to block major highways. Nuevo Laredo Mayor Carmen Lilia Canturosas took to Facebook at approximately 8:49 a.m. Monday, warning residents of the dangers and urging them to stay indoors for safety.
The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo also issued a security warning regarding the unrest. “U.S. Consulate Nuevo Laredo has received reports of multiple gunfights throughout the city of Nuevo Laredo. U.S. government personnel have been advised to shelter in place,” the consulate stated. Residents also reported the gunfire on social media, advising others to stay sheltered.
This recent wave of violence follows another deadly confrontation on Saturday when Mexican authorities in Nuevo Laredo came under fire near Calle Puerto México in the Solidaridad neighborhood. Soldiers returned fire, killing three gunmen and injuring one. Authorities seized a vehicle and four long rifles at the scene.
The escalating violence has caused heightened security concerns, with several Laredo school campuses placed in secure mode due to the situation. The arrest of González Sauceda marks a significant development in Mexico’s ongoing battle against cartel violence, though it also highlights the volatility and immediate repercussions of such high-profile detentions.
