‘El Cromo,’ Alleged Leader of CJNG-Linked Los Cromos, Arrested in Guadalajara — His Group Is Accused in the Killing of a 4-Year-Old Girl in Juchitán, Where Mayor ‘Quetu’ Was Jailed 3 Weeks Ago
Federal forces have arrested Iván “N,” alias “El Cromo,” in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mexico’s security chief Omar García Harfuch identified him as one of the leaders of “Los Cromos,” a group linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca. Harfuch announced the arrest on X on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, as reported by El Universal, La Razón and Uno TV. He said Los Cromos is under investigation for the killing of a 4-year-old girl in Juchitán. The arrest comes three weeks after Juchitán’s mayor, Miguel Sánchez Altamirano, “Quetu,” was jailed in the same case.
What Harfuch says he is accused of
According to Harfuch’s statement, as quoted by La Razón and López-Dóriga Digital, the arrest came out of intelligence work by the Navy’s (Semar) Naval Intelligence Unit and Mexico’s National Intelligence Center (CNI). He tied Los Cromos to killings, extortion, “cobro de piso” (protection payments), kidnapping, and drug and gun trafficking.
Harfuch said the detainee has two documented arrest warrants for aggravated homicide involving three victims. Intelligence records, he said, also refer to a third warrant for the same crime, dating from 2020. He said a citizen reward of up to 2 million pesos had been offered for information leading to the capture. In Harfuch’s description, the girl’s killing was a crime his organization “está señalada” (is accused) of in the investigations, not a charge against him personally. The reports gave no date for that killing.
NMás TV report on the arrest:
The link to Juchitán’s jailed mayor
Harfuch said the arrest builds on the investigation that led to the Sept. 23 arrest of Juchitán’s then-mayor, Miguel “N,” and another member of the group. El Universal named the mayor as Sánchez Altamirano. Both men were arrested on suspicion of aggravated extortion and crimes against state security. The Narco Blog has previously reported, citing Oaxaca prosecutors, that Sánchez Altamirano was ordered to stand trial and that Juchitán’s former police chief was sent to trial on accusations that he protected Los Cromos.
Harfuch’s post announcing the arrest:
https://x.com/OHarfuch/status/2110349277243297944
What is not known
Officials have not released Iván “N”’s full name or said when he was arrested; López-Dóriga Digital gave his initials as “Iván S. S.” The reports included no response from him or a lawyer. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent.
Sources
- El Universal (Daniela Wachauf), “Cae en Jalisco Iván ‘N’, líder de ‘Los Cromos’, célula afín al CJNG,” Oct. 14, 2026
- La Razón, “Fuerzas federales arrestan a Iván ‘N’, alias ‘El Cromo’, vinculado con el CJNG,” Oct. 14, 2026
- López-Dóriga Digital, “Detienen a líder de Los Cromos; es señalado del homicidio de una niña de 4 años,” Oct. 14, 2026
- Uno TV, “Omar García Harfuch informa detención del ‘Cromo’ en Guadalajara,” Oct. 14, 2026
- Omar García Harfuch, post on X, Oct. 14, 2026
- Photos: SSPC handout posted by Omar García Harfuch on X, via El Universal; video: NMás
Reported Oct. 14, 2026, from Harfuch’s statement as published by the outlets above. The Narco Blog did not independently verify the allegations. Officials had not yet said when Iván “N” will appear before a judge.