José Juan Farías Álvarez

José Juan Farías Álvarez, also known as El Abuelo, is identified as the leader of Cárteles Unidos, a criminal organization involved in extortion and drug trafficking in Michoacán, Mexico. He has gained notoriety for his role in orchestrating threats against local mayors to secure the withdrawal of military forces from municipalities, allowing the cartel to operate with greater impunity. In August 2023, he was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which designated Cárteles Unidos as a terrorist organization.