Nederlands
English
Deutsch
Français
Español
Português
What is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel?
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), led until February 22, 2026 by Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (known as 'El Mencho'), was one of Mexico's most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations. The cartel, founded in 2009, grew from a regional faction into an international criminal enterprise controlling significant portions of the drug trade to the United States, particularly fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. With an estimated annual revenue in the billions from drug trafficking alone, the CJNG became known for its extreme violence, paramilitary capabilities, and direct confrontations with Mexican authorities.
Breaking News: El Mencho Killed in Military Operation
On February 22, 2026, Mexican special forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a military operation near Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco state. According to official reports, El Mencho was seriously wounded during the capture attempt and died while being transported by air to Mexico City. The operation resulted in six additional fatalities, three wounded soldiers, two arrests, and the seizure of armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and other heavy weaponry.
Operation Details and Immediate Aftermath
The military operation occurred near the Puerto Vallarta airport, triggering an immediate and violent response from cartel members. Within hours, CJNG operatives established roadblocks with burning vehicles across Jalisco and four other Mexican states, a common tactic used to impede military movements. The violence prompted Jalisco's governor to declare a 'code red' emergency, suspending all public transportation and urging residents to shelter in place. Canada temporarily suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, while the United States issued security alerts for Americans in the region.
'El Mencho was the most wanted drug lord in Mexico,' said Boris van der Spek, a correspondent covering the story. 'The CJNG is one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations, controlling significant portions of the international drug trade. The question now is whether there's an immediate successor ready to take over or if internal power struggles will lead to more bloodshed in Mexico.'
Who Was El Mencho?
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, born in 1967, began his career as a police officer before entering the drug trade. He rose through the ranks of the Milenio Cartel before founding the CJNG in 2009. Under his leadership, the cartel expanded rapidly, becoming known for:
- Controlling major drug trafficking routes to the United States
- Operating over 100 methamphetamine laboratories throughout Mexico
- Generating estimated annual revenues of $8 billion from cocaine and $4.6 billion from crystal meth
- Direct confrontations with Mexican military and police forces
- Expanding operations to Latin America, Europe, and Asia
The United States had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to El Mencho's capture and had indicted him on multiple charges including conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses. The Trump administration designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization in 2025, and the cartel was considered by U.S. officials as the 'biggest criminal drug threat' to the United States.
Impact on Mexico's Drug War
The elimination of El Mencho represents both a significant victory and a potential turning point in Mexico's ongoing drug war. Similar to the Sinaloa Cartel leadership transitions, the death of such a powerful leader could lead to several outcomes:
- Immediate Succession: A pre-designated successor takes control with minimal disruption
- Internal Power Struggle: Factional fighting within the CJNG leads to increased violence
- Territorial Fragmentation: The cartel splinters into smaller, competing organizations
- Increased Aggression: The cartel launches retaliatory attacks against authorities
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called the operation 'a great development for Mexico, the United States, Latin America, and the world.' However, experts caution that while eliminating top leadership can disrupt cartel operations temporarily, these organizations often demonstrate remarkable resilience and quickly adapt to leadership changes.
CJNG's Criminal Operations and Violence
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has been responsible for some of Mexico's most shocking violence in recent years. The organization has been implicated in:
- The 2025 murders of two close aides to Mexico City's mayor
- A 2020 assassination attempt on then-police chief Omar García Harfuch
- Numerous mass graves discovered in Jalisco and surrounding states
- Direct attacks on military and police using drones and rocket-propelled grenades
- Control of major drug trafficking corridors to the United States
The cartel's expansion into fentanyl trafficking has been particularly concerning for U.S. authorities, with President Trump previously designating fentanyl as a 'weapon of mass destruction' due to its role in the American opioid crisis. The CJNG's operations have contributed significantly to the U.S.-Mexico border security challenges that have dominated bilateral relations in recent years.
Regional Security Implications
The immediate aftermath of El Mencho's death demonstrated the CJNG's capacity for coordinated violence across multiple states. The cartel's response included:
| State | Cartel Response | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jalisco | Roadblocks with burning vehicles, attacks on infrastructure | Public transportation suspended, schools closed |
| Michoacán | Vehicle burnings, armed roadblocks | Highway closures, security alerts |
| Colima | Transportation disruptions | Commercial traffic halted |
| Guanajuato | Cartel activity reported | Increased military presence |
| Tamaulipas | Border region disruptions | Flight cancellations at Reynosa airport |
These coordinated actions highlight the challenges facing Mexican authorities in maintaining security during major anti-cartel operations. The situation also underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational criminal organizations, particularly given the cross-border drug trafficking networks that connect Mexican cartels to global markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was El Mencho?
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' was the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico's most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations until his death on February 22, 2026.
How was El Mencho killed?
Mexican special forces killed El Mencho during a military operation near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. He was wounded during the capture attempt and died while being transported by air to Mexico City for medical treatment.
What is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel?
The CJNG is a Mexican criminal organization founded in 2009 that became one of the country's most powerful drug cartels, known for extreme violence, international drug trafficking operations, and direct confrontations with authorities.
What was the U.S. reward for El Mencho?
The United States Department of State had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to the capture of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, making him one of the world's most wanted fugitives.
What happens to the CJNG after El Mencho's death?
Experts predict either immediate succession by a designated heir, internal power struggles leading to increased violence, or fragmentation of the cartel into smaller competing organizations.
Sources
This article was compiled from multiple sources including official Mexican government statements, U.S. State Department announcements, and reporting from international news organizations. Primary sources include: PBS NewsHour, The Independent, CBS News, and Wikipedia.
