A Year on the Run Ends in Mérida
A high-profile Guatemalan fugitive, identified as Rudy Augusto ‘N’, also known as Mynor Aníbal ‘N’, alias El Smoking, was captured in Mérida, Yucatán, after nearly a year on the run.
Authorities confirmed that the 49-year-old fugitive, linked to the Mara Salvatrucha and the Rueda del Barrio 18 criminal network, had escaped from a Guatemalan prison in May 2023.
After fleeing his home country, he illegally entered Mexico, moving through Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán before being apprehended.
From Guatemala’s Most Wanted to a Store Robbery Arrest
Ironically, the fugitive’s downfall came not from high-level intelligence operations but from petty crime.
On Sunday, February 11, 2025, Yucatán’s State Security Ministry (SSP) arrested Rudy Augusto ‘N’ in Mérida after he and five women were caught stealing merchandise from a convenience store on Prolongación Paseo de Montejo.
The group’s actions raised suspicions, leading police to run a background check using the C5i Security Control Center and the MID-4 State Intelligence Unit.
The system flagged him as a high-priority target, revealing his criminal past and international fugitive status.
A Criminal with a Dark Past
Rudy Augusto ‘N’ had been incarcerated in Guatemala since October 2009 for:
Homicide
Attempted murder
Extortion
At one point, authorities mistakenly believed he had been killed, after another inmate was murdered in an attempt to fake his death.
Once the deception was discovered, Guatemalan authorities issued an Interpol Red Notice, officially listing him as a priority fugitive.
How Mexican Authorities Tracked Him Down
Mexican law enforcement confirmed his identity through advanced surveillance and intelligence gathering, led by:
Yucatán’s State Investigation Police (PEI)
The Interpol Mexico division
The National Migration Institute (INM)
After cross-referencing forensic and biometric data, authorities established contact with Guatemala’s criminal justice system to coordinate his extradition.
The Fate of His Accomplices
Alongside the fugitive, five women were also detained and charged with theft.
Names of the detainees:
Glenda Elizabeth ‘N’
Joselyn ‘N’
Evelyn Gisela ‘N’
Verónica Elizabeth ‘N’
Génesis ‘N’
The women are currently in custody under the jurisdiction of Yucatán’s Attorney General’s Office (FGE), facing legal proceedings.
What’s Next? The Extradition Process Begins
The Mexican government is now preparing to extradite Rudy Augusto ‘N’ to Guatemala, where he will face additional charges related to his prison escape and international flight.
Guatemalan officials have praised the swift coordination between Mexican law enforcement and Interpol, emphasizing that this arrest dismantles a dangerous criminal network.
Key Takeaways from the Case:
A high-profile Guatemalan fugitive hid in Mexico for nearly a year
He was mistakenly declared dead after another inmate was murdered in his place
Caught stealing, he was identified through Mexico’s security intelligence system
He now faces extradition to Guatemala, where he will be prosecuted for multiple crimes
A Major Victory for Law Enforcement
This case highlights Mexico’s growing cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, ensuring criminals cannot evade justice by crossing borders.
With Interpol, state police, and national migration authorities working together, dangerous fugitives like Rudy Augusto ‘N’ are being tracked and brought to justice.
However, the case also raises concerns about criminal networks exploiting border weaknesses, emphasizing the need for stronger international security cooperation.
For now, one of Guatemala’s most wanted men is finally behind bars, and Mexico has sent a strong message—there is no safe haven for criminals on the run.
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