Mexico arrests suspected cartel figure tied to killing of Vizsla Silver workers

Vizsla Silver

02/06/2026 19:11

    MEXICO CITY, June 2 (Reuters) - Mexican authorities have arrested an alleged cartel figure tied to the killing of workers at Canadian miner Vizsla Silver VZLA.TO early this year, officials said on Tuesday, a case that highlighted security risks facing mine workers and foreign mining companies operating in Mexico.
Mexico's defense ministry said the suspect, identified only as Gabriel "N", also known as "Gabito" or "80," was detained in the western state of Sinaloa during a joint operation involving the army, National Guard and local security forces.
Authorities said he was a regional operator within a criminal group linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and was involved in the abduction and killing of 10 people connected to a mining operation in January.
Vancouver-based Vizsla, which is developing a silver project in the region, previously said it was cooperating with Mexican authorities in the investigation.

        The mining company reopened its field activities at the Panuco project in north-western Mexico early May and last week received state-backed financing for the mine.
      
The case underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Mexico's mining belt, a key source of silver and other metals for global markets.

 (Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Kylie Madry; Editing by Sarah Morland)
 ((Kylie.Madry@thomsonreuters.com;))