Photo: Semar

By THE PULSE NEWS MEXICO STAFF

Following the disappearance of two members of its forces in Zapopán, Jalisco, on Tuesday, Nov. 16, Mexico’s Navy (Semar) announced Thursday, Nov. 18, that it would increase its military presence in that state-

According to military sources, some 450 elite troops from the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena) and the Mexican Navy have been deployed to the area.

The disappearance of the sailors is believed to have been an act of retaliation by Mexico’s bloody Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) for the arrest and order for detention without bail of Rosalina González Valencia, wife of notorious CJNG leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.

Following the detention of González Valencia, who was already being tried for alleged money laundering and other crimes, and was detained on Sunday, Nov. 14, for not showing up at a mandatory court appearance, the two sailors disappeared at a commercial center in Zapopan, and hours later their white Jeep vehicle was found abandoned.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, the Army and Navy intensified the search for El Mencho in Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán and Guanajuato, using helicopters, drones and intelligence systems.