In a tragic escalation of cartel violence, former Mexican federal agent Ivan Morales was gunned down in Morelos, raising fears of retribution by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Morales, who survived a 2015 cartel attack and later testified against a key CJNG leader, was killed alongside his wife on May 1, 2025, in Temixco, just 60 miles from Mexico City. Authorities suspect the murder was an act of revenge, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal organizations, as reported by AFP. The CJNG’s brutal tactics and far-reaching influence continue to destabilize regions across Mexico.
A Hero’s Past and a Deadly Present
Ivan Morales was no stranger to the dangers of confronting the CJNG. On May 1, 2015, he was aboard a military helicopter during “Operación Jalisco,” a mission to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the CJNG’s notorious leader. The cartel, anticipating the raid, shot down the helicopter with rocket-propelled grenade launchers, killing nine of the 18 agents on board. Morales escaped the burning wreckage but suffered burns over 70% of his body, leaving his face disfigured. His survival earned him a medal for heroism from then-President Enrique Peña Nieto, but it also marked him as a target. The 2015 attack remains one of the deadliest in Mexico’s drug war.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_May_2015_Jalisco_attacks)
Testimony Against “El Menchito”
Morales’ role as a prosecution witness in the U.S. trial of Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez, alias “El Menchito,” likely sealed his fate. El Menchito, the son of El Mencho and second-in-command of the CJNG, was extradited to the United States in 2020 and sentenced to life in prison in March 2025 for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. According to reports, Morales testified anonymously, with descriptions matching his 2015 survival story: a federal police officer with a burn-disfigured face who escaped a downed helicopter under enemy fire. U.S. authorities noted that El Menchito ordered the helicopter attack to protect his father, making Morales’ testimony pivotal in securing the conviction. Latin Times reported that this testimony may have triggered the CJNG’s vengeance.
[](https://www.latintimes.com/mexican-agent-who-survived-cartel-attack-that-downed-his-helicopter-murdered-582145)The Attack in Morelos
On the morning of May 1, 2025—exactly 10 years after the helicopter attack—Morales and his wife were ambushed while traveling in a black van in Temixco, Morelos. Gunmen opened fire before fleeing on motorcycles to a waiting vehicle, according to local media. The Morelos Attorney General’s Office is investigating, with revenge as a primary motive, given Morales’ history with the CJNG. Posts on X reflected public outrage, with users like @DavidWolf777 calling it a stark reminder of Mexico’s “narcostate” challenges. No arrests have been made, and the case underscores the CJNG’s ability to target high-profile enemies with impunity.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel: A Growing Threat
The CJNG, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government in 2025, is one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent cartels. Led by El Mencho, who carries a $15 million U.S. bounty, the group controls drug trafficking routes, particularly for fentanyl and methamphetamine, and is notorious for brutal tactics, including mass killings and forced recruitment. Recent discoveries, such as a CJNG training camp in Jalisco where recruits were tortured and killed, have heightened fears of the cartel’s reach. AP News reported on the cartel’s use of fake job ads to lure victims, a tactic that reflects their ruthless expansion.
[](https://apnews.com/article/mexico-jalisco-cartel-el-mencho-drugs-sinaloa-99f755b7173f101d74e6a1eac333cd38)In Morelos, the CJNG has been locked in a turf war with rivals like La Familia Michoacana, contributing to rising violence. The state, once a peaceful retreat for Mexico City residents, has seen a surge in cartel activity, with local gangs aligning with larger organizations like the CJNG to survive. El Universal noted that this conflict has led to high-profile attacks, such as the 2019 Cuernavaca massacre.
[](https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english/two-drug-cartels-are-behind-surge-violence-morelos/?outputType=amp)A Call for Justice and Security
The murder of Ivan Morales has reignited calls for stronger action against cartels in Mexico. The CJNG’s ability to target a decorated former agent a decade after his survival highlights the challenges facing Mexican authorities. Experts argue that corruption, inadequate resources, and cartel infiltration of local politics—evident in Morelos, where mayors have been linked to criminal groups—hamper efforts to curb violence. The Washington Post reported on these systemic issues, noting that cartels often exploit political transitions to expand their influence.
[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/mexico-losing-control/mexico-morelos-mayor-jail-organized-crime/)Morales’ story, from his heroic survival to his tragic end, underscores the personal toll of Mexico’s drug war. As investigations continue, his death serves as a grim reminder of the CJNG’s reach and the urgent need for international cooperation to dismantle such organizations. The U.S. extradition of 29 cartel figures in February 2025, including CJNG members, signals progress, but the fight is far from over. Reuters highlighted the scale of this operation.
[](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-extradite-us-convicted-drug-kingpin-caro-quintero-other-suspected-cartel-2025-02-27/)Author: Planet-Today.com
Source: AFP