Two Mexican Navy Officers Accused of Collaborating with Jalisco Cartel and 'Los Chapitos': Report

Two high-ranking active members of Mexico's Navy are reportedly collaborating with criminal organizations and are allegedly on the payroll of both the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and Los Chapitos.

According to investigative journalist Luis Chaparro, who shared the findings on his show Pie de Nota, federal sources revealed to him that two rear admirals are suspected of working for the CJNG and the faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.

The officers were identified as José Efraín Martínez, known as "El Talachas," and Bonfilio Méndez Méndez, also known as "Bonfi." An internal investigation conducted by Mexico's Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), along with multiple U.S. agencies, found that the two officers allegedly leaked sensitive information to drug cartels.

According to Chaparro, the investigation concluded both men "facilitated tactical operations for criminal groups by deliberately omitting deterrent actions, using their ranks and credentials to shield illicit movements — including unregistered escorts, passage through checkpoints, and access to federal zones — in addition to establishing covert communications with regional operators of these organizations."

A document obtained by Chaparro and addressed to Mexican authorities, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, warns that the officers "represent a direct threat to national security and undermine the institutional prestige of the armed forces." It was signed by the brigadier general serving as chief of the general staff.

The report recommends the immediate dismissal of Martínez and Méndez, the freezing of their bank accounts, a full audit of their assets, and that both men be brought before the Military Justice Prosecutor's Office.

A 2024 report by the International Crisis Group highlights multiple cases of serious alleged wrongdoing by active military members, based on documents compiled by the military's own intelligence units and later leaked to the public.

A recent example of this issue surfaced earlier this month, when 11 members of the Mexican National Guard were formally charged in a fuel theft case. They were caught just a week earlier extracting fuel from an illegal tap using official patrol vehicles.

The report also notes that criminal groups have sought to expand their influence by striking deals with military officers. A criminal leader in Michoacán told Crisis Group that a common practice is "co-opting individual soldiers to extract information about military operations in their areas."

"It's really not that complicated," he said. "You send someone to the bars they frequent, get them chatting, buy them a bottle, get their contact and you take it from there." He added that no local group had "a general on the payroll ... but what each of us has is one or the other chismosito [informant], some lieutenant or colonel."