Barrio 18 Bosses ‘Smoking’ and ‘Liro Spyder,’ on the Run Since a 20-Inmate Escape From Guatemala’s Fraijanes II Prison, Captured in Cancún With Guns and Marijuana
Two Barrio 18 gang leaders who escaped from Guatemala’s Fraijanes II prison nearly a year ago were captured in Benito Juárez, the municipality that includes Cancún, Quintana Roo, Guatemalan authorities announced on Oct. 5, 2026. Diario de Centro América, Guatemala’s official newspaper, identified them as Rudy Augusto Ortiz Morales, alias “Smoking,” and Esvin Estuardo Herrera Ardiano, alias “Liro Spyder.” The U.S. State Department designated Barrio 18 a Foreign Terrorist Organization in September 2025.
How the arrest happened
According to Diario de Centro América, the operation was carried out by Guatemala’s Transnational Anti-Gang Center (CAT), part of the National Civil Police (PNC), with the Public Ministry (MP) and in coordination with Mexican security forces. The paper said suspected marijuana, firearms and ammunition were seized from the two men when they were arrested. Both had Interpol red notices over the Oct. 12, 2025, escape. An arrest photo shared by the MP shows the two men in front of a Quintana Roo state police backdrop alongside Mexican soldiers, a National Guard member, a marine and a state officer. None of the reports reviewed included a statement from Mexican authorities.
Who the two men are
Diario de Centro América, citing police and Interior Ministry records, said “Smoking,” 45, leads Barrio 18’s Imperial Gángsters clique, sits on the gang’s leadership “Rueda” and is classified as a hitman, with records dating to 1999 and two murder records from December 2022. It said “Liro Spyder,” 41, is a clique leader of the Hollywood Gángster clique with no convictions in its database. Infobae, also on Oct. 5, gave Smoking’s age as 42 and named the second man Lester Gabriel García Quiñónez. The comparison sheets Guatemalan authorities released list him under both names. Infobae reported that Smoking had been in prison since 2009 on homicide, extortion and illicit association convictions.
What happens next
Diario de Centro América said the men may first face Mexican charges over what was seized. Guatemala would otherwise pursue extradition. With these arrests, 10 of the 20 escapees have been recaptured and one has died, the paper said. Infobae said nine remain at large. Travelers can follow the area on our Cancún–Tulum safety page.
Sources
- Diario de Centro América, “Recapturan al ‘Smoking’ y a ‘Liro Spyder’, fugados de Fraijanes II,” Oct. 5, 2026: dca.gob.gt
- Infobae, “Capturan en México a dos cabecillas del Barrio 18 fugados de Fraijanes 2 de Guatemala,” Oct. 5, 2026: infobae.com
- Prensa Libre, “Capturan en México al ‘Smoking’ y al ‘Liro Spyder’, fugados de la cárcel Fraijanes 2,” Oct. 5, 2026: prensalibre.com
- U.S. Department of State, “Terrorist Designation of Barrio 18,” September 2025: state.gov
- Photos: Guatemala’s Public Ministry and National Civil Police, via Diario de Centro América and Prensa Libre.
Reported Oct. 5, 2026, from the Guatemalan and U.S. sources above. Ages and one of the men’s names differ between outlets; both versions are given. Mexican authorities had not published their own account of the arrest when this was written.