“R1” was arrested in 2012 and faced open judicial proceedings; However, Judge Yolanda Cecilia Chávez acquitted him of all charges due to alleged lack of evidence, and in 2022 he was released.
Los Angeles, November 22 (LaOpinión).- Federal authorities identified Ramon Alvarez Ayalaalias “R1“, leader of a cell linked to Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), like the alleged mastermind of the murder of Carlos Manzo, Mayor of Uruapan, Michoacanoccurred on November 1 during the Day of the Dead Candle Festival.
Eight people are detained in the case, including seven bodyguards of the victim and Jorge Armando “The Bachelor“, indicated as the one who would have directed the attack by orders of theR1”.
According to official reports, Álvarez Ayala is considered one of the highest-ranking leaders of the CJNG and a close collaborator of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho.” Authorities indicate his criminal history dates back more than a decade.
Ramón Ángel Álvarez “El R1”, lieutenant of “Los Valencia” of the #CJNGwas prosecuted for organized crime, however, Judge Yolanda Cecilia Chávez acquitted him of all charges due to alleged lack of evidence.#ZeroImpunity pic.twitter.com/1CYijYmG3Q
— Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (@SSPCMexico) January 26, 2023
Arrest in 2012 with his brother “R2”
On September 6, 2012, “R1” was detained in Guadalajara along with his brother Rafael Álvarez, alias “R2”, during an operation by the Secretariat of National Defense that involved two Air Force aircraft. At that time, both were identified as strategic operators of the CJNG.
Defense documents indicate that “R1” was then one of the most trusted men of “El Mencho”, with control of drug trafficking in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara and the northern region of Jalisco. He would also have coordinated CJNG incursions towards Guanajuato and Michoacán, as well as actions against rival groups.
The authorities indicated that at the time of his capture he was in a safe house in the Minerva area, along with five collaborators. At that point, he allegedly held meetings to coordinate criminal activities.
Accusations of blockades and fires
According to official reports of the time, “R1”, his brother Rafael and Jesús Santiago Álvarez Ayala were accused of coordinating the blockades and fires of vehicles registered on August 25, 2012 in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara and the state of Colima.
Prior to his release, Álvarez Ayala was facing two arrest warrants for organized crime and was linked to four investigations in the then Attorney General’s Office (PGR).
Release in 2022
“R1” was released on November 18, 2022 by decision of a Judge, in an event that federal authorities described as a “Saturday” for having been executed at dawn. During a morning conference by then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, former Undersecretary of Security Ricardo Mejía Berdeja reported that the accused had been progressively acquitted in five criminal proceedings for serious crimes, including kidnapping and organized crime.
By instructions of the President @Claudiashein Today we report progress in the investigation of the murder of Carlos Manzo, where thanks to coordinated work with the @FiscaliaMich and the @GabSeguridadMX Intelligence work, camera analysis and monitoring were carried out… pic.twitter.com/AfScKExb5H
— Omar H Garcia Harfuch (@OHarfuch) November 19, 2025
According to the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), the judicial rulings were made due to fading of evidence, lack of appearance of witnesses and insufficient elements to prove responsibility.
New accusation in the Manzo case
Three years after his release, federal authorities once again target “R1”, now as the alleged intellectual author of the murder of Mayor Manzo. Eight people are detained for the homicide, including Jorge Armando “N”, alias “El Licensed”, identified as the person who coordinated the attack.
The authorities have not reported whether they will request new arrest warrants or expanded investigations against Álvarez Ayala, who remains a fugitive.