Background on José Luis Sánchez Valencia, aka ‘Chalamán’
José Luis Sánchez Valencia, known by his alias ‘Chalamán,’ has been identified as one of the key operatives for the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). He was apprehended in Colima during a joint operation by Mexican federal forces.
U.S. Involvement and Charges
The U.S. authorities had issued a warrant for Sánchez Valencia due to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and criminal association. The Mexican authorities located his area of movement in the Colima-Villa de Álvarez conurbation, eventually identifying and arresting him near Benito Juárez Avenue.
Agencies Involved in the Operation
The successful operation involved collaboration between several Mexican security agencies, including the Agencia de Investigación Criminal (AIC) of the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), Secretaría de Marina (Semar), Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena), Guardia Nacional (GN), and the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia (CNI).
Chalamán’s Criminal History
Sánchez Valencia has a history of multiple arrests. In 2011, he was detained in Mexico following a video’s release showing agents of the then-Agencia Federal de Investigación mistreating him. This led to his release. In 2024, he was once again captured in Colima, but a failed operation allowed his release.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is José Luis Sánchez Valencia, aka ‘Chalamán’? He is a key operative for the CJNG, an influential Mexican drug cartel.
- What charges was he facing? Sánchez Valencia was wanted by U.S. authorities for drug trafficking and criminal association.
- Which agencies were involved in his arrest? The operation was a joint effort by the Agencia de Investigación Criminal (AIC), Secretaría de Marina (Semar), Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC), Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena), Guardia Nacional (GN), and the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia (CNI).
- What is Chalamán’s criminal history? Sánchez Valencia has a history of multiple arrests, including one in 2011 that led to his release after a video surfaced showing mistreatment by investigators. He was re-arrested in Colima in 2024, but another failed operation allowed his release.
