José Alberto García Vilano Explained

José Alberto García Vilano, also known as La Kena and Ciclon 19, is a Mexican drug lord and leader of the Los Ciclones cell within the Gulf Cartel, an international crime syndicate.^[1]

García Vilano's cell was accused of kidnapping four U.S. citizens in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in March 2023, with two of the victims being killed.^{[2] [3]}

2024 arrest

On January 19, 2024, García Vilano was seen in a shopping plaza in Monterrey, Nuevo León, being escorted by armed police.^{[4] [5]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2024-01-19 . Alleged leader of the Gulf drug cartel, the gang that kidnapped and killed Americans, is captured in Mexico - CBS News . 2024-01-19 . www.cbsnews.com .
2. Web site: 2023-03-08 . What we know about the deadly kidnapping of Americans in Matamoros, Mexico . 2024-01-19 . Dallas News .
3. Web site: Ruiz . Michael . 2023-03-22 . Americans who survived Matamoros cartel kidnapping break silence on 'nightmare' in Mexico . 2024-01-19 . Fox News .
4. Web site: Dorgan . Michael . 2024-01-19 . La Kena, notorious Mexican cartel leader, captured; group accused of killing 2 US tourists . 2024-01-19 . Fox News .
5. Web site: 2024-01-19 . Mexico arrests leader of gang accused of kidnapping 6 Americans, killing 2 . 2024-01-19 . NBC 6 South Florida .