Mexican Army and National Guard elements located Luis Enrique 'N', alias 'El R5', the alleged leader of the Los Reyes Cartel, during an operation in the rancheria 'Rodeo del Pinal' in Tocumbo, Michoacan. ^[1] Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla of Michoacán stated on 2026-01-12 that authorities are awaiting an official report from the Fiscalía General de Justicia del Estado regarding a shootout between federal forces and armed civilians in Los Reyes. ^[2] Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, alias 'El R-5' or 'El Güicho', is identified as a top commander and presumed successor to the former leader of the Cártel de Los Reyes. ^[3] Luis Enrique Barragán Chávez, alias 'El R-5', was identified as the second-in-command of the Los Reyes Cartel and a primary target for law enforcement agencies in Mexico and the United States. ^[4] On August 31, 2026, federal forces engaged in a shootout with Barragán Chávez in the mountainous region of Los Reyes, Michoacán, where he was reportedly killed. ^[5] During the operation, security elements received gunfire from firearms; the uniformed personnel repelled the aggression and killed 'El R5' and one of his companions on the spot. ^[6] The Mexican Secretary of National Defense reported that military and National Guard agents deployed a precision operation to detain the suspect, who had a provisional arrest order for extradition to the United States. ^[7] The United States Department of State offered a reward of three million dollars for information leading to the location and arrest of 'El R5', who was wanted for drug and arms trafficking into Mexico. ^[8]