Exclusive
Egyptian court orders closure of news site Mada Masr and fines editor Lina Attalah, sparking international outcry Egyptian court orders closure of news site Mada Masr and fines editor Lina Attalah, sparking international outcry Indonesia’s Nuclear Deal with Russia is Fraught with Concerns Indonesia’s Nuclear Deal with Russia is Fraught with Concerns Amazon mining boss wanted by Brazil for sheltering Jair Bolsonaro’s spy chief has businesses, properties in Florida Amazon mining boss wanted by Brazil for sheltering Jair Bolsonaro’s spy chief has businesses, properties in Florida
Current Affairs

CJNG Officer in Veracruz “El Gordo Frank” Captured After Shootout in Alvarado

…

By Samantha Johnson / July 23, 2026

By “El Huaso” for Borderland Beat

This afternoon, local CJNG boss Francisco Reyes Ramón, alias “El Gordo Frank”, was arrested by public security forces after a shootout in a residential neighborhood of Alvarado, Veracruz.

The operation took place earlier today in colonia Valente Cruz of Alvarado, a small coastal city 70 kilometers southeast of the Heroica Veracruz. In addition to “El Gordo Frank”, his son and two other alleged hitmen were arrested. 

According to Imagen Veracruz, gunfire was reported in three neighbhorhoods; Colonia Aneas, 
Colonia Valente Cruz, and Colonia 21 de Abril.

Earlier news articles linked ‘El Gordo Frank’ to the kidnapping of 46 migrants in 2021 that also sparked a major shootout in the city. Veracruz Governor Cuitláhuac García stated at a press conference that “El Gordo Frank” and his cell were heavily involved in human trafficking, as well as cargo truck robberies and attacks on state police officers. 

Sources: La Silla Rota, La Silla Rota, Milenio, Imagen Veracruz


Don't Miss: