Shown here is a member of the CJNG likely in the state of Michoacán.

Of note are the pair of night vision binoculars mounted on his helmet, something that is not often seen with cartels but is becoming more frequent.

These appear to be a pair of Halo 13X Night Vision Binoculars from supplier Levenhuk. They boast a magnification of up to 8x and will set you back around $300. Alternatively, there are Chinese knockoffs available for around half the price.

CJNG in particular have been seen using NVGs, including older systems such as PVS-7s. Slides 4 and 5 show the same sicario with what appears to be a pair of AN/PVS-7 NVGs.

The authenticity of most examples cannot be verified due to the lack of high quality footage, many are likely cheap alternatives, such as the pair from slides 1 and 2.

NVGs have been seen in several CJNG propaganda videos, where there is an incentive to appear as well equipped as possible. Slide 6 shows a pair of quad tube NVGs, likely knockoffs, during one such video.

Recent footage shows H12 sicarios affiliated with Los Cabrera and the CDS Mayito Flaco faction distributing ammunition and operating in/around San Ignacio, Sinaloa, where fighting continues against sicarios affiliated with the CDS Chapitos faction, likely sicarios of René 00.

Miembros del CDS-MF usando un dron para tareas de reconocimiento en los enfrentamientos de días recientes en Escuinapa, Sinaloa.

El dron es de la marca DJI, modelo Matrice 4T.

Recent footage of clashes in San Ignacio, Sinaloa, between H12 Personal de Carlin sicarios affiliated with Los Cabrera and the CDS Mayito Flaco faction and René 00 sicarios affiliated with the CDS Chapitos faction.

Operador Dronero del CJNG, armado con un fusil FN SCAR-H, portando un control remoto DJI modelo RC Plus. La fotografía fue tomada en el estado de Michoacán.

Recent footage of clashes in Sinaloa likely in Badiraguato, Sinaloa, where recent fighting took place between sicarios from Gente del Guano/Los Calabazas (affiliated with the CDS Chapitos faction) and sicarios from Fuerzas Especiales 28 lead by El Mingo (affiliated with the CDS Mayito Flaco faction and Chapo Isidro).

The “Special Forces Union” between CJNG and the Sinaloa cartel

In late 2024, rumours of an alliance between the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa cartel and the CJNG circulated. Many initially denied the claims, but as more pictures and footage emerged, the allegations were confirmed.

The alliance was named the Fuerzas Especiales Union (FEU), joining forces against the Mayiza branch of the Sinaloa cartel. At some point, an AI generated logo surfaced (slide 4), which has since been adapted, used in narco mantas and hats.

FEU primarily operates in the state of Sinaloa. The two sicarios in slide 1 belong to the Chapitos faction, also known as La Chapiza, as shown by the 🍕 emoji. The text refers to brothers El 80 and El 81, also known as El Gabito and El Casco (helmet, as shown by the 🪖 emoji) respectively.

Slide 3 shows Chapitos sicarios who are part of the FEU somewhere in Sinaloa. They can be seen dressed in full tactical gear as seen by a drone operated by the passenger side sicario.