El Guano Evades Largest Golden Triangle Operation in Years — SEDENA Confirms El Chapo's Brother Still at Large

Mexico's federal security forces launched one of the largest operations in the Golden Triangle in years on April 22, 2026, targeting Aureliano 'El Guano' Guzmán Loera — El Chapo's brother and La Mayiza's sierra zone commander — in Badiraguato municipality and the adjacent Tamazula area of Durango. The operation deployed five UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft with signals interception equipment, National Guard units, and Marine elements. Culiacán International Airport was temporarily restricted to official flights only. Security Secretary García Harfuch confirmed on April 22 that 'there are detainees,' but withheld names pending investigation. Blog del Narco reported alleged radio intercepts claiming El Guano was captured, but on April 23 SEDENA officially denied his capture — confirming El Guano had evaded the operation for the fourth time. El Guano's evasion underscores the limits of federal enforcement in the rugged Sierra Madre terrain where La Mayiza's sierra network remains entrenched.