Sources have said that the shooting yesterday afternoon in Marina Vallarta was due to the arrest of Saúl “N”, nicknamed “El Chopa,” who was allegedly involved in the assassination of former Jalisco governor Aristóteles Sandoval in December 2020.
Two days ago, Ricardo Mejía, undersecretary of the Secretariat for Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), released a report on the arrest of José Manuel “S,” known as “Manu Vaquita,” in which Saul “N” (“El Chopa”) was mentioned as a member of a criminal group. He is widely believed to be the Puerto Vallarta kingpin of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Mejía said that Manu Vaquita met El Chopa in the now-defunct Distrito 5 Bar, and that he was sitting next to Sandoval’s table.
Yesterday, shortly after 3:30 p.m., a confrontation broke out on Albatros Street in Marina Vallarta. The capture of El Chapo was alleged achieved there. He is apparently wounded, and being treated in the HGZ 42 of the IMSS of Puerto Vallarta.
The IMSS Hospital remains heavily guarded by the National Guard and the Army. Helicopters are also participating in surveillance.
Unofficial reports say that El Chopa died from his wounds during an operation.
Large-caliber shell casings and pools of blood were found at the scene of the shooting.