A 15-year-old cartel assassin and his drug boss uncle have been killed during a gun battle with security forces in the western Mexican state of Michoacán.
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The teenager, identified as Alberto “Chuchito Nini” Sandoval, was reportedly part of Cartel de Los Reyes, where he oversaw a team of hitmen and used his social media accounts as a tool to recruit other minors into the cartel, according to the Michoacán Attorney General’s Office.
It was also revealed that Sandoval served as the personal bodyguard of his uncle, Luis “El R-5” Barragán, 39, who was the leader of Cartel de Los Reyes and wanted by the United States over drug trafficking charges.
The deadly gun battle occurred on August 30 after Mexican military forces, National Guard troops, the Michoacán Attorney General’s Office and state police launched an operation following intelligence about Barragán’s location.
Security forces reportedly arrived at a ranch in the municipality of Tocumbo, where they were met with gunfire.
Sandoval and Barragán were pronounced dead at the scene following the confrontation. It remains unclear whether the teenager took part in the exchange of gunfire.
Before his involvement with the cartel, photos reportedly linked to Sandoval’s Instagram accounts showed him as a younger child wearing a Chivas de Guadalajara jersey and posing with a football.
However, other images showed what appeared to be his later life, with the teenager pictured wearing tactical gear while carrying firearms.
Mexican security analyst David Saucedo said Sandoval’s story reflects how some young people become involved in criminal organizations, especially when they are connected to cartel families.
According to Saucedo, many major drug trafficking groups operate as family networks, with leadership often passed down between relatives.
“Cartels are handed down from fathers to sons, fathers to nephews, uncles to nephews, or between siblings,” he said.
Mexico’s Security Minister Omar García Harfuch revealed that the United States had formally requested the extradition of Barragán, who became the leader of Cartel de Los Reyes after its former boss, Alfonso “Poncho la Quiringua” Fernández, was captured by the military.
The US government had offered a $3 million reward for information leading to Barragán’s arrest. He was wanted on drug trafficking and firearms charges filed by a federal court in Washington, D.C.
Barragán was also identified by authorities as a leading member of Carteles Unidos, a faction involved in Mexico’s ongoing criminal conflicts.