Sentenced to 30+ Years in 2021, Free by 2026: Michoacán Police Kill ‘El Mansito,’ Alleged CJNG Extortion Boss, in Morelia Shootout
Michoacán’s Guardia Civil has shot dead Rafael “N,” alias “El Mansito” (also “El Jocker”), a man state officials called a priority target wanted for extortion, aggravated homicide and aggravated kidnapping. According to Infobae and Latinus reports published Sept. 26, 2026, the killing happened in Morelia, the state capital. A state prosecutor’s source told Latinus that El Mansito led a Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) extortion network in Michoacán and Guanajuato. That source also said he was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison in 2021. Authorities are now investigating how he got out.
What officials say happened
Infobae reported that Michoacán’s Public Security Secretariat (SSP) announced the shooting on Saturday, Sept. 26. According to the SSP, Guardia Civil officers were on patrol when Rafael “N” fired at them. Officers returned fire, and he died at the scene. The SSP said he had several outstanding arrest warrants. It added that intelligence work had identified him as an alleged extortion operator in both states.
Infobae noted that the SSP statement did not name a cartel. No officer casualties were reported. The CJNG link comes from the prosecutor’s-office source cited by Latinus, not from the official statement.
Grupo Fórmula’s report on the killing of “El Mansito”:
Sentenced to 30+ years, then free
Latinus reported, citing a source in Michoacán’s State Attorney General’s Office (FGE), that the now-defunct Federal Police arrested El Mansito on Aug. 22, 2010. He was detained with José Luis García Vázquez, “El Chilaca,” who was described as La Familia Michoacana’s plaza boss in Morelia. According to the outlet, El Mansito was that cell’s number two.
In July 2021, both men were sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for illegal deprivation of liberty, drug crimes, carrying a firearm and possessing military-only ammunition, Latinus reported. It is not clear from the reports when or how El Mansito was released. The outlet said authorities are investigating that question.
According to FGE intelligence reports cited by Latinus, El Mansito joined La Familia Michoacana in 2008 as a lookout (halcón) in southern Morelia. By 2009, the outlet said, he was running retail drug points and the cartel’s safe houses.
Sources
- Infobae — Guardia Civil abate en Morelia a “El Mansito” (Sept. 26, 2026)
- Latinus — “El Mansito” era identificado como líder de una red de extorsión del CJNG (Sept. 26, 2026)
- Grupo Fórmula — Abaten a “El Mansito” (video)
- Photos: Cuartoscuro file photo, via Latinus.
This report was compiled on Sept. 27, 2026. It relies on the outlets cited above, which in turn cite the Michoacán SSP and an unnamed FGE source. The alleged CJNG link and his criminal history have not been confirmed in an official statement. How he was released from prison remains unexplained.