Mexican naval forces kill Guasave Cartel operator in Sinaloa

González faced U.S. opioid-trafficking charges and a reward up to $5 million

Mexican naval forces killed Jesús González Peñuelas, known as “El Chuy,” in an operation that began Monday in Guasave, Sinaloa, and authorities confirmed his death Wednesday. The operation combined air and ground forces near the Alfredo V. Bonfil neighborhood. García Harfuch identified González as an operator of the Guasave Cartel and said another person also died after naval personnel came under fire.

Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed the death in a post on X. He said naval personnel were attacked by members of a criminal organization and returned fire. “During the confrontation, two people were killed, including, according to available information, Jesús González Peñuelas, alias ‘Chuy Peñuelas,’ one of the operators of the Guasave Cartel,” García Harfuch said.

The confrontation lasted several hours and extended along rural roads near Estación Bamoa, Estación Capomas and Siete Ejidos. Facing armed resistance, naval forces deployed additional ground units and armed helicopters to contain the suspects and confront González’s security detail, authorities said.

Another suspected member of the criminal organization, identified as Cesáreo Peñuelas Ruiz, was also killed during the operation. Naval personnel seized four stolen vehicles, three long guns, magazines and ammunition. García Harfuch said authorities turned the evidence over to Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office for further investigation.

UPI identified González, 56, as the second-in-command of the Guasave Cartel. The Guasave Cartel is linked to major factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, which the report called one of Mexico’s most powerful drug-trafficking organizations.

According to UPI’s account, González had a long history of alleged involvement in organized crime. He initially worked with the Beltrán Leyva organization before operating independently and developing ties to Los Chapitos and Los Mayos, rival factions associated with the Sinaloa Cartel.

Excelsior reported that González’s organization allegedly controlled the production of heroin, methamphetamine and counterfeit M-30 fentanyl pills destined for U.S. markets, including California, Texas and Colorado. The U.S. government had described González as a high-priority target and had offered a reward of up to $5 million for his capture.

U.S. federal authorities had also sought his arrest to face charges related to international opioid trafficking. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control had sanctioned González under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act since 2021.

García Harfuch said the operation reflected ongoing coordination and intelligence-sharing among Mexico’s security agencies as authorities seek to restore security in Sinaloa. His post described the operation as part of permanent efforts to reinforce security in the state.