Mexican authorities have arrested Ramon Angel Alvarez Ayala, a high-ranking member of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), who is accused of ordering the murder of beauty influencer Valeria Marquez. The assassination, which occurred in May, is alleged to have been carried out by a hitman at the behest of Ayala after Marquez ended her relationship with his son, Francisco Alvarez.
Ayala, known as 'El R1', was apprehended on Thursday following a car chase in Jalisco that resulted in the death of one of his security detail. Federal security secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch stated that El R1's son allegedly contacted his father to arrange the hit after his relationship with Marquez, a 23-year-old TikToker and aesthetician, concluded. Harfuch indicated that the son had previously threatened Marquez on several occasions.
Prosecutors allege that Ayala instructed a hitman to pose as a delivery driver and enter Marquez's salon, Blossom the Beauty Lounge, in Zapopan. Upon confirming her identity, the gunman reportedly shot Marquez three times. Marquez was live-streaming at the time of the attack and appeared to acknowledge the gunman before the shooting. She had mentioned to her followers shortly before her death that a masked courier had attempted to deliver an expensive gift, and had previously expressed feeling threatened, stating her ex-boyfriend should be held responsible for any harm that might befall her or her family.
In earlier broadcasts, Marquez had spoken about personal changes, stating she no longer went out or associated with "thugs." While initial reports suggested another cartel leader, Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, also known as 'Doble R', might be involved, authorities have stated there is no evidence linking him to the murder. El R1 is also accused of the murder of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, who was shot and killed during a public festival.
The CJNG is considered one of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations, involved in trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and extorting businesses. The U.S. administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization last year. The arrest of El R1 was acknowledged by the U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The cartel's founder, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho', was reportedly killed earlier this year, an event that led to widespread violence across multiple Mexican states. The cartel leader's death was discussed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo with former U.S. President Donald Trump.