Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” on Sunday, marking a significant blow to the Jalisco Modern Generation Cartel (CJNG). The cartel, which has become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico, is accused of trafficking vast quantities of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. The operation to capture El Mencho triggered violent clashes across several Mexican states, resulting in at least six deaths and multiple arrests, alongside the seizure of heavy weaponry, including rocket launchers and armored vehicles, according to Mexican authorities.
While Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán of the Sinaloa cartel garnered international notoriety, El Mencho’s CJNG has established a firm grip on Mexico’s criminal landscape through displays of extreme violence and a well-equipped, military-style arsenal. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers the CJNG to be as powerful as the Sinaloa cartel, with a presence in all 50 U.S. States and a major supplier of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The takedown of El Mencho represents a critical attempt to disrupt the cartel’s operations and address the escalating drug crisis impacting both Mexico and the United States.
Born in July 1966 in Michoacán, Mexico, El Mencho’s path to becoming a kingpin began with a career in law enforcement before transitioning to the world of drug trafficking. He initially migrated to the United States, where he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in California in 1994 and served nearly three years in prison before being deported twice, according to reports from BBC News and other sources. Upon his return to Mexico, he quickly ascended through the ranks of the criminal underworld, ultimately co-founding the CJNG.
From Police Officer to Cartel Leader
El Mencho’s rise to power began after the death of Ignacio Coronel Villareal, alias “Nacho Coronel,” in 2010. Following Coronel’s death, Oseguera Cervantes and Erik Valencia Salazar, alias “El 85,” formed the CJNG around 2007. Initially, the CJNG operated as an arm of the Sinaloa cartel, but the two organizations eventually fractured, leading to years of violent conflict over territory and control. An unconfirmed story circulating within the underworld suggests a trivial dispute – a spilled glass of hibiscus tea – sparked the bloody split between the two cartels, resulting in betrayals and massacres.
The CJNG quickly distinguished itself through its aggressive tactics and willingness to directly confront the Mexican military. In 2015, cartel members shot down an army helicopter with a rocket launcher during an attempt to capture El Mencho, demonstrating the group’s firepower and audacity. More recently, in 2020, the cartel launched a brazen attack in Mexico City targeting the then-head of the capital’s police force, now the federal security secretary, using grenades and high-powered rifles.
A Cartel’s Reach and Impact
The CJNG’s influence extends far beyond Mexico’s borders. The DEA considers the cartel a national security threat, noting its vast financial resources, access to advanced weaponry, and the presence of paramilitary groups. According to security specialist Eduardo Guerrero, a detachment of just 50 CJNG operatives could overwhelm local police forces in many Mexican cities. The cartel’s primary revenue streams include cocaine, methamphetamine, and, increasingly, fentanyl production, earning billions of dollars annually.
Unlike El Chapo, who cultivated a public persona and even engaged with Hollywood figures, El Mencho largely remained in the shadows, with few publicly available photographs. Since 2017, he faced multiple indictments in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, most recently on April 5, 2022, charging him with conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances, as well as firearms offenses under the Drug Kingpin Enforcement Act.
Following El Mencho’s death, suspected cartel members responded with widespread violence, setting vehicles ablaze and blocking roads in several states, including Jalisco. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the security forces involved in the operation, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “We work every day for peace, security, justice, and the well-being of Mexico.”
The death of El Mencho marks a turning point in Mexico’s fight against drug cartels, but the CJNG’s infrastructure and influence remain substantial. The coming weeks and months will be critical in assessing the cartel’s response and the potential for fragmentation or a power struggle. Authorities will be closely monitoring the CJNG’s activities to prevent the emergence of new leaders and maintain pressure on the organization’s operations.
What are your thoughts on the implications of El Mencho’s death? Share your comments below and join the conversation.
