This week’s episode of Casos del Crimen con el Sargento features one of the most audacious bombings in Mexico City’s recent history. You can listen to the podcast by CLICKING HERE.
It concerns the attempted assassination of the then Secretary of Citizen Security, Omar García Harfuch, whose van was attacked by a commando of the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG) on June 26, 2020.
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At 6:38 a.m. in the exclusive Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood -at the intersection of Paseo de la Reforma and Monte Blanco- an armed offensive began.
At least 28 assassins, coming from various states such as Jalisco, Guerrero and Michoacan, formed a well-prepared commando.
In just 180 seconds, they unloaded more than 400 shots from assault rifles, Barrett .50 caliber rifles, grenade launchers and fragmentation grenades.
Harfuch’s convoy was riddled with bullets.
Two of his bodyguards – policemen Rafael “O.” and Edgar “G.” – were killed, along with a civilian woman passing through the area, identified as Gabriela, who was hit by a bullet.
An attack on the heart of power
Omar García Harfuch received three bullet impacts (in the shoulder, collarbone and leg) and multiple splinters, but managed to survive.
He was transferred by ambulance, then to a helipad, and underwent several surgeries; he was discharged on July 6, 2020, after several days in hospital.
From the hospital, Harfuch publicly blamed the CJNG and its leader, “El Mencho”.
Research and justice: historic convictions
The capital’s Public Prosecutor’s Office arrested 14 to 18 people, while 12 hitmen were held responsible for their direct participation.
In March 2024, the 12 received sentences of up to 316 years, although by Mexican law they will only serve a maximum of 70 years in prison.
Two of those implicated, Carlos David “N” and José María “N”, received individualized sentences of 86 years and 7 months for aggravated and attempted homicide against Harfuch.
In addition, in early 2025, Mexico extradited Román Alberto Muñoz Meza, a suspected arms supplier to the commando, who was turned over to the United States.
Context of urban violence
The attack was not only a personal attack against Harfuch, but also a message from the CJNG to the capital’s government.
In the years since, Mexico City has faced a growth in high-impact crime, including violence directed against public figures and journalists, and a strong presence of the CJNG and La Union Tepito.
Omar García Harfuch in Crime Cases
Buzzy
Crime Cases with the Sergeant breaks down this sophisticated attack on Omar Garcia Harfuch in his weekly episode, now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
The Sergeant will try to explain, from his perspective as a former police officer, how an armed commando managed to execute an ambush of such magnitude inside one of the safest residential areas of the capital.
In addition to explaining how the authorities reacted, and what strategy allowed Harfuch to survive.
In this episode we are going to talk about the attack against the then Police Chief of Mexico City
Casos del Crimen is one of QuéOnnda and Nueva Network’s podcasts, other titles include La Huella Ovni and Nueva Jugada.
