The Rise and Fall of El Mencho: Impact on Mexico's Drug War

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico's most violent criminal organizations, has seen significant turmoil following the alleged fall of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho. Born in 1966 in a rural community in Aguililla, Michoacán, El Mencho's journey through the drug trade began in his youth, leading him to a life marked by immense violence and betrayal. With a history steeped in crime, his early forays included drug dealing, which led to his incarceration in the United States. After multiple deportations and a stint in prison, he returned to Mexico in the 1990s, where he connected with the Millennium Cartel. Following the fragmentation of that group, El Mencho seized the opportunity to consolidate power by founding CJNG in the early 2010s. El Mencho was known for his brutal tactics, using a combination of strategic alliances and calculated betrayals to rise through the ranks of organized crime. Under his command, CJNG established itself swiftly, expanding its territory across Mexico and securing lucrative drug trafficking routes, particularly for methamphetamines and fentanyl heading into the United States. The group has gained notoriety for its vicious acts, including massacres, ambushes against authorities, and coordinated blockades. Security expert Eduardo Guerrero pointed out in 2021 that CJNG posed a significant threat to national security on both sides of the US-Mexico border. The cartel's resources include substantial finances, state-of-the-art weapons, and military-style paramilitary operations, allowing them to overpower local law enforcement in smaller cities. Among the infamous actions attributed to El Mencho is the June 2020 assassination attempt on Mexico City's former Secretary of Citizen Security, Omar García Harfuch. An armed unit ambushed García Harfuch's vehicle, resulting in multiple casualties. Furthermore, there were notable attacks against military and enforcement officers, including the downing of a military helicopter in 2015 and extensive blockades in response to government security operations. Reports indicated that the CJNG was also linked to numerous massacres and clandestine training centers, such as the Izaguirre ranch discovered in early 2025. This highlighted the cartel's extensive operations and their capacity for violence. For the United States, Oseguera Cervantes was one of the most wanted drug traffickers, with the State Department offering a bounty of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture. He was also sanctioned for his role in international drug trafficking. El Mencho's downfall represents a critical turning point in the ongoing drug war in Mexico. This development is likened to the high-profile capture of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán in 2016, marking a significant blow against drug trafficking in the region. With the removal of its top leader, questions loom about how the CJNG will reorganize and what this will mean for the landscape of organized crime in Mexico. As the cartel attempts to define its future, the power vacuum left by El Mencho could lead to escalated violence and shifting allegiances among rival cartels, further complicating the fight against drug-related crime in the country. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2