The death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” at the hands of Mexican authorities marks a significant, yet potentially volatile, turning point in the fight against drug trafficking. Intelligence assistance from the United States played a crucial role in the operation that ended his reign as leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
But El Mencho’s demise didn’t bring peace. Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, erupted in chaos as the cartel retaliated with widespread violence. Cars were deliberately set ablaze, roads were blocked, and the city ground to a near standstill, with even the international airport severely hampered.
For years, the U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to El Mencho’s capture, labeling him one of Mexico’s most wanted fugitives. This wasn’t simply about apprehending a criminal; it was about dismantling a network with a devastating reach into American communities.
The CJNG isn’t just a major player in the drug trade – it’s considered the most potent trafficking organization in Mexico, boasting the highest capacity to move cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine across the border. El Mencho himself faced multiple indictments in the U.S., accused of orchestrating the large-scale distribution of deadly drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Robert Charles, a former assistant Secretary of State specializing in international narcotics and law enforcement, believes the cartel bears responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. He emphasizes the pervasive nature of the CJNG’s reach, extending to every state in the nation.
The scale of the CJNG’s operations is staggering. A single seizure in September revealed a massive haul: over 92 kilograms of fentanyl powder, more than a million counterfeit pills, over 6,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, nearly 23,000 kilograms of cocaine, and 33 kilograms of heroin – all linked directly to the cartel.
The violence associated with the CJNG extends beyond the drug trade itself. The tragic case of Isabel Ashanti Gomez, a 22-year-old woman, illustrates the brutal consequences. Mistaken for a rival gang member, she was fatally shot when cartel members opened fire on the vehicle she was riding in with her father.
Hours before her death, Gomez had cheerfully posted a birthday message to her uncle online, a poignant reminder of the life stolen by senseless violence. Her story underscores the human cost of the cartel’s actions, a cost that extends far beyond statistics and headlines.
In the wake of El Mencho’s death, the U.S. embassy in Mexico issued a shelter-in-place order for American citizens in Jalisco state, citing ongoing security operations and the continued threat of criminal activity. The ripple effects of this power shift are only beginning to be felt.
Experts predict that El Mencho’s death will likely trigger a period of instability and potential infighting within the CJNG, creating new challenges for both Mexican and American law enforcement agencies as they attempt to contain the fallout.
