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The Tragic End Of El Changuito Ántrax: Inside The Final Hunt For Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez

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The story of Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez, better known by his chilling alias "El Changuito Ántrax," reached a dramatic and sudden conclusion in September 2025, according to the latest reports from Mexico. As of this current date in December 2025, the notorious leader of the Sinaloa Cartel's enforcement arm, Los Ántrax, is widely reported to have died following a major federal operation in Culiacán, Sinaloa. This event marks a significant, though often ambiguous, turning point in the ongoing conflict between Mexican authorities and one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations. Félix Núñez was not just another sicario; he was a key figure in the inner circle of the Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García faction, rising from a simple hitman to a high-value target designated by the U.S. government for his role in global drug trafficking, including the deadly export of fentanyl. His reported death, while lacking a definitive official government confirmation, has been detailed by multiple local media outlets, painting a picture of a final, desperate escape that ended tragically on the roads of his home state.

Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez: A Brief Biography and Profile

Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez, known for his ferocity and loyalty to the Sinaloa Cartel's leadership, was a central figure in the cartel's paramilitary wing, Los Ántrax. His profile is a testament to the violent ascent within the Mexican organized crime structure.
  • Full Name: Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez
  • Aliases: "El Changuito Ántrax" (The Anthrax Monkey), "Changuito 06"
  • Date of Birth: July 17, 1979
  • Nationality: Mexican
  • Primary Affiliation: Sinaloa Cartel
  • Role: High-ranking member and reported leader of "Los Ántrax"
  • Criminal Career Start: Early 2000s, initially as a hitman (sicario)
  • U.S. Designation: Sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for involvement in illicit fentanyl and drug trafficking
  • Key Associates: Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada García, José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa ("El Chino Ántrax"), Serafin Zambada-Ortiz, Alfonso Arzate Garcia ("Aquiles"), Rene Arzate Garcia.
Félix Núñez's rise was closely tied to the history of Los Ántrax, a group famously led by José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa, "El Chino Ántrax," until his arrest and later death. Following the dismantling of the original leadership, Félix Núñez stepped up, solidifying his position as a key operator for "Mayito Flaco" (Ismael Zambada Imperial, son of El Mayo Zambada) and maintaining control over crucial territories in the Sinaloa Cartel's stronghold.

The U.S. Sanctions and the Fentanyl Connection

The international scrutiny on Félix Núñez intensified significantly when the U.S. government officially designated him under the Kingpin Act. This designation was not merely symbolic; it targeted him and other key operators—like the Arzate Garcia brothers, Alfonso and Rene—for their direct involvement in the flow of deadly drugs into the United States. The U.S. Treasury Department specifically cited Félix Núñez for his role in the illicit trafficking of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has fueled a devastating overdose crisis across North America. His designation effectively froze any assets he might have held under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibited U.S. citizens from engaging in transactions with him, highlighting the global reach of the Sinaloa Cartel's operations. This OFAC action, which often names individuals who are fugitives or still active, served as a clear signal that he was considered a high-priority target for his contribution to the cartel's violent activities and its drug supply chain. The pressure from U.S. sanctions is a major factor driving the Mexican government's continued pursuit of these figures.

The Final Hunt: Culiacán Operation and Reported Death in September 2025

The most recent and dramatic development concerning Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez is the operation that reportedly led to his demise in September 2025. This event brought his career, defined by violence and evasion, to a sudden and unexpected close. The operation was a major coordinated raid by federal forces, including the Mexican Navy, and took place in the municipality of Quilá, a syndicate south of Culiacán, Sinaloa. The target was explicitly "El Changuito Ántrax."

The Escape and the Fatal Accident

Initial reports indicated that Félix Núñez was successfully targeted in the raid, but crucially, he managed to evade capture during the heavy ground and air assault. This escape, however, was short-lived and ultimately tragic. According to multiple media sources, shortly after escaping the primary military action, Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez was involved in a vehicle accident. This accident proved fatal, leading to his reported death. The circumstances—an escape from a major federal raid followed immediately by a fatal accident—add a layer of dramatic irony to the end of a figure known for his criminal prowess and ability to disappear. The reports of his death circulated rapidly in September 2025, with local media identifying the deceased as "El Changuito Ántrax" or "Changuito 06," the leader of Los Ántrax.

The Legacy of Los Ántrax and Cartel Infighting

The reported death of Félix Núñez is more than just the end of an individual; it signifies the continuous evolution and internal strife within the Sinaloa Cartel. Los Ántrax, as an organization, has been a key enforcer unit for the "Mayo" Zambada faction, known for its paramilitary structure and extreme violence. They were instrumental in the cartel's territorial disputes, particularly against rival organizations like the Beltrán Leyva Organization and in internal conflicts, such as the infighting that has characterized the Sinaloa Cartel's post-Guzmán era. The death of "El Changuito Ántrax" creates a power vacuum and adds another layer of instability to the cartel's structure. His reported demise follows a pattern of high-profile leaders of Los Ántrax being captured or killed, including the group's founder, José Rodrigo Aréchiga Gamboa ("El Chino Ántrax"), and the infamous figure Claudia Ochoa Félix (whose involvement was never officially confirmed). The ongoing struggle for control and influence continues between the factions, notably between the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán (Los Chapitos) and the long-standing leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. The removal of a key Zambada lieutenant like Félix Núñez could potentially shift the balance of power, even temporarily, in the volatile landscape of the Mexican drug war. Figures like Aureliano Guzmán Loera ("Guano Guzmán"), El Chapo’s brother, are known to be actively involved in the ongoing conflict, making the loss of a major enforcer a significant blow to the Zambada faction.
The Tragic End of El Changuito Ántrax: Inside the Final Hunt for Rafael Guadalupe Félix Núñez
rafael guadalupe félix núñez
rafael guadalupe félix núñez

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