Mexican Cartel Queenpin 'La Güera' Freed After Acquittal in Notorious Double Murder of Israeli Citizens

Vanessa "N", alias "La Güera", alleged mastermind behind the 2019 murder of two Israeli citizens in Mexico City, has been released from prison after a judge issued an acquittal. La Güera, 59, was arrested for her alleged role in the murders, which were linked to the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel.

Mexican Cartel Queenpin 'La Güera' Freed After Acquittal in Notorious Double Murder of Israeli Citizens
Vanessa 'N', alias 'La Güera', alleged mastermind behind the 2019 murder of two Israeli citizens in Mexico City, has been released from prison after a judge issued an acquittal. Credit: Alberto Viveros Noticias

In a dramatic turn of events, Vanessa “N,” better known as "La Güera," the woman once accused of orchestrating the shocking double murder of two Israeli citizens in Mexico City’s upscale Plaza Artz in 2019, has been acquitted and released from prison. This comes after a specialized judge ruled in her favor, sparking outrage and disbelief among the public and media.

The unexpected acquittal was issued by Judge Adolfo González López of the Sole Judicial District of Morelos on Friday, October 11. Following the order, Vanessa “N,” 59, was freed from the Federal Social Readaptation Center Number 16 “CPS Femenil Morelos” within four hours, in compliance with the judge’s mandate. Joaquín López Dóriga, a prominent Mexican journalist, shared the official document—letter 07874/24—confirming her acquittal.

The Crime That Shocked Mexico

Vanessa "La Güera" was infamously labeled the mastermind behind one of the most high-profile murders in recent Mexican history. On July 24, 2019, Israeli nationals Alon Azulay and Benyamin Yeshuaron Sutchi were gunned down in broad daylight at the luxury Hunan restaurant located inside Plaza Artz Pedregal, a shopping and dining hotspot in Mexico City’s affluent Jardines del Pedregal neighborhood.

At the time, the chilling nature of the crime, which unfolded in front of stunned diners, made headlines not only in Mexico but worldwide. Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the attack, showing Vanessa "N" dining with the two men shortly before the execution-style killings.

The pair were ambushed by a woman identified as Esperanza "N" and her accomplice, Mauricio Hiram "N," both of whom stormed the restaurant and fired several shots, killing the men instantly. Authorities at the time speculated that the murders were part of a larger, orchestrated attack involving criminal organizations, potentially linked to the notorious Israeli mafia.

The intrigue surrounding the Plaza Artz murders deepened when Vanessa "La Güera" was accused of being the financial operator for one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful drug syndicates, the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG). Investigators alleged that she had facilitated the transfer of 20 million euros from Israel—money that was intended for the victims but ultimately led to their deaths.

Nicknamed “La Güera” due to her striking blonde appearance, Vanessa "N" was arrested in 2021 during a dramatic raid at a residence in the Insurgentes Cuicuilco neighborhood in Coyoacán, Mexico City. At the time, authorities hailed her capture as a significant victory in the fight against organized crime, marking the end of a two-year manhunt for the person they believed had planned the audacious murders.

Escape Caught on Camera

The details of the crime painted a picture of a calculated and cold-blooded plot. On the fateful day, Vanessa “N” reportedly lured Azulay and Yeshuaron Sutchi to the upscale Hunan restaurant, where she calmly dined with the two men just moments before the attack. Video footage shows her nonchalantly interacting with restaurant staff, even calling over a waiter to bring an ashtray to their table.

Then, in what appeared to be a prearranged signal, Vanessa “N” got up, moved her chair aside, placed something on a service table, and made her exit through the kitchen. Just seconds later, the assassins entered, and the brutal murder unfolded.

Vanessa "N" allegedly made her getaway in an SUV that had been waiting for her nearby. It was a carefully timed and meticulously executed operation, leading investigators to believe that she had orchestrated the entire plan from the start. The evidence appeared damning.

Despite the mountain of evidence suggesting her involvement, Judge Adolfo González López’s decision to acquit Vanessa “N” has stunned many. The legal proceedings, held at the Trial Court of the Sole Judicial District of Morelos in Jojutla, ended with a unanimous ruling in her favor, clearing her of the charge of qualified homicide. The grounds for this acquittal, however, remain shrouded in mystery, and the precise reasoning behind the judge's decision has not been fully disclosed.

This stunning development has raised serious questions about Mexico's judicial system and its ability to bring justice in cases involving powerful organized crime figures. Critics have already started voicing concerns that influence from criminal elements may have played a role in the ruling, sparking fears of corruption within the judicial process.

Who Is Vanessa "La Güera"?

Vanessa "N," or “La Güera,” has long been associated with the CJNG, one of the most feared and violent drug cartels in Mexico. She was suspected of being one of the cartel’s primary financial operators, handling significant amounts of illicit funds.

The CJNG, led by the notorious Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," has built a reputation for brutal violence, including kidnappings, murders, and extortion. Over the years, the cartel has grown into a formidable criminal organization, extending its influence not only in Mexico but internationally. Vanessa’s role within this powerful network allegedly placed her in a position to execute complex and high-stakes operations like the one at Plaza Artz.

Vanessa "La Güera" now walks free, but the questions surrounding her role in the Israeli double murder remain. Many are left wondering if justice has truly been served or if this is merely another example of how powerful criminal elements evade accountability.

The public will be closely watching the fallout from this controversial decision, as pressure mounts on authorities to explain how someone once thought to be at the center of such a heinous crime could be cleared of all charges. With her release, Vanessa "N" has returned to a world still rife with intrigue, danger, and unanswered questions.

For now, Mexico—and the world—are left to grapple with the unsettling reality that one of the country’s most infamous alleged criminals has escaped the clutches of justice. Only time will tell if "La Güera" will return to the shadows, or if her story is far from over.