Flores, a regional commander who controlled large portions of CJNG territory along Mexico’s Pacific coast, had been viewed by security analysts as a potential successor to cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” following Oseguera’s death in a security operation in February.Garcia Harfuch said on social media platform X that Flores was detained under a Mexican arrest warrant and also faced criminal charges in the United States.

“He is also wanted by U.S. authorities for extradition. The U.S. government had offered a $5 million reward for his capture,” Garcia Harfuch wrote.The U.S. Treasury Department previously identified Flores as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker” and said that a U.S. grand jury in 2021 charged him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin, among other offenses.

CJNG is one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations, with operations spanning drug trafficking, extortion and territorial control across several states. The cartel has long been a major target of both Mexican and U.S. authorities.

Carlos Olivo, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration assistant special agent in charge and an expert on CJNG, said Flores’ arrest could have a deeper operational impact than the earlier killing of El Mencho.“He’s a significant figure,” Olivo said. “His arrest will have a bigger effect on CJNG operations than Mencho being taken out.”The detention is the latest development in a broader campaign against Mexico’s drug cartels under intensified federal security operations.

Garcia Harfuch has made the dismantling of CJNG leadership a priority and previously blamed El Mencho for a 2020 assassination attempt against him in which two of his bodyguards were killed.Security analysts had identified Flores as one of several senior regional commanders positioned to compete for control of the cartel after leadership disruptions earlier this year.

Mexico’s security environment remains under heightened international attention as the country prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup this summer with the United States and Canada, placing additional pressure on authorities to demonstrate progress against organized crime and violence.

The Qatar decision has been marred by controversy, including allegations of corruption and human rights violations, since it was first announced.

Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, has also been embroiled in accusations of corruption during his tenure. He was cleared of fraud by a Swiss court in June. The prosecutors have appealed the ruling.

“It is too small of a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for it,” Blatter said of Qatar, the first country in the Middle East to host the tournament.

He said FIFA in 2012 amended the criteria it used to select host countries in light of concerns over the working conditions at tournament-related construction sites in Qatar.

“Since then, social considerations and human rights are taken into account,” he said.

Blatter said he will be watching the tournament, which kicks off in less than two weeks, from his home in Zurich.