'Narcos: Mexico' Actor Manuel Masalva Recovering from Aggressive Bacterial Infection

Published: July 9, 2025

Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, known for his role as Ramón Arellano Félix in the Netflix drama series "Narcos: Mexico," is on the road to recovery after contracting an aggressive bacterial infection in March that left him in a medically induced coma for weeks.

In his first social media post since the onset of his illness, Masalva updated his followers on his current health status via Instagram on Monday evening. "I am healing. I want to profoundly thank you all for the support you have given me and continue to give me, in every sense, every one of you," Masalva wrote.

According to his manager Jaime Jaramillo Espinosa, Masalva first felt the onset of an ailment when he arrived in Dubai in March, following a trip to the Philippines. He spent 105 days in the Dubai hospital that first treated him for his prolonged illness.

On March 26, Masalva underwent emergency surgery after doctors discovered the bacterial infection, which prevented him from traveling back to his home in Mexico. The following day, the infection reached his lungs, and he had to be put into a medically induced coma.

Masalva thanked the Dubai hospital staff for their work and for the distinct culture that "overflowed with love and spirituality." "I don't know if I really understand all of what's going on or just a part of it, it's been an eternity and there are still some parts missing, I just want to the strongest thanks that I can give to God, my family, my doctors, and all those people that have supported me since the start of this process. I owe you all my life," he wrote.

In addition to his role in "Narcos: Mexico," Masalva has also been featured on the telenovela "La Rosa de Guadalupe" and recently in the series "La Guzmán."

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