Mexican authorities have arrested Francisco Javier Román-Bardales, an alleged leader of the violent MS-13 gang who is currently listed among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
Román-Bardales was apprehended on the Teocelo-Baxtla highway in Veracruz, according to a joint statement issued by the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of National Defense, and the National Guard.
“He was informed of the reason for his arrest, his legal rights were read to him, and he will be transferred to Mexico City, before the corresponding authority, and subsequently deported to the United States, where he is wanted,” the statement added.
CNN reported that it has contacted Mexican authorities to obtain further details about the arrest, including whether Román-Bardales has legal representation.
When asked to comment on the arrest and whether it was carried out at the request of the Trump administration, the FBI responded that it “does not have a comment at this time.”
According to the FBI, Román-Bardales is alleged to have played a key role in directing MS-13’s criminal operations across the United States, Mexico, and El Salvador, his country of origin.
He is also accused of having ordered “numerous acts of violence against civilians and rival gang members, as well as his role in drug distribution and extortion schemes in the United States and El Salvador.”
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US authorities have charged him with “conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, narco-terrorist conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to traffic aliens.”
The FBI had previously offered a reward of $250,000 for information leading to his capture.
MS-13, which was originally formed in Los Angeles, has been designated a terrorist organization by the Trump administration, alongside other criminal groups.
Some current and former officials have argued that labelling cartels as terrorist organisations could pave the way for direct US military action against cartel members and drug production facilities in Mexico.
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