By Trendsetter Tribune 
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — In a rapid-fire series of tactical victories for Mexican security forces, authorities confirmed on Monday evening, February 23, 2026, that Hugo César Macías Ureña, known as “El Tuli,” has been killed in a military operation. The elimination of “El Tuli”—the primary logistics and financial chief for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)—comes less than 36 hours after the death of the group’s supreme leader, “El Mencho.”
His death is seen as a major disruption to the cartel’s attempt to reorganize and respond to the sudden leadership vacuum at the top of the organization.
The Elimination of “El Tuli”
As the cartel’s “crisis manager,” El Tuli was reportedly the mastermind behind the wave of retaliatory violence that erupted across 20 Mexican states on Sunday.
- The Operation: Following intelligence leads, an Army paratrooper unit located El Tuli in El Grullo, Jalisco. He reportedly attempted to flee in a vehicle while opening fire on security forces but was killed in the ensuing shootout.
- The Bounty: Authorities revealed that El Tuli had been using the cartel’s messaging networks to offer a 20,000 peso (~$1,200 USD) bounty on the head of every Mexican soldier killed during the current unrest.
- The Seizure: At the scene of his death, troops seized an arsenal of weapons along with nearly $1 million USD and 7.2 million pesos in cash—funds believed to be earmarked for fueling the ongoing “narco-blockades.”
Leadership Vacuum: The “Familial” vs. “Commander” Rift
With both the supreme leader and his top logistics officer dead, the CJNG faces an unprecedented internal crisis. Unlike the Sinaloa Cartel, which is built on familial dynasties, the CJNG relies on a network of high-ranking regional commanders.
| Potential Successor | Status / Role |
| “El Jardinero” | A senior lieutenant with a $5 million U.S. bounty; controls lucrative trafficking corridors and is considered a frontrunner. |
| “El RR” (Ricardo Ruiz) | Controls the “Elite Group” (armed wing) and is currently directing much of the paramilitary activity in Jalisco and Michoacán. |
| Juan Carlos Valencia | El Mencho’s stepson; he lacks the military background of the commanders but holds significant symbolic weight within the “familial” faction. |
A Grim Toll: 73 Dead and Counting
The cost of the two-day offensive has been devastating. Mexico’s Security Secretary, Omar García Harfuch, provided an updated toll on Monday afternoon, highlighting the extreme level of violence directed at the state.
- Security Forces: 25 National Guard members have been killed in six separate ambush attacks since Sunday morning. One state prosecutor agent and a jail guard were also killed.
- Cartel Casualties: At least 42 suspected cartel members have died across Jalisco and Michoacán, with dozens more arrested.
- Civilians: At least one civilian woman was killed during the crossfire in a shootout in Tapalpa.
The “Gaza Stadium” Connection
The timing of these raids has raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles. Just days before the operation, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Trump administration announced a massive $75 million partnership to build sports infrastructure in Gaza through the “Board of Peace.” Analysts suggest the Mexican government may have moved against El Mencho now to demonstrate security “readiness” ahead of the 2026 World Cup, especially given that Guadalajara—the epicenter of the current violence—is a host city.
“There is no apparent heir. We are watching the beginning of a violent realignment that will likely fragment the CJNG into geographically separated factions.” — David Mora, International Crisis Group