Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was the mastermind behind the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), an organization that redefined the scale of violence and business in the global drug trade. His death in February 2026 marked the end of an era for Mexican organized crime.
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- Tactics: He pioneered the use of “monstruos” (improvised armored vehicles) and drone-led attacks.
- Philosophy: Unlike older cartels that prioritized bribes, El Mencho used overwhelming force to seize territory from rivals like the Sinaloa Cartel.
- The Bounty: For years, he was the primary target of the DEA, with a $10 million reward on his head.
The CJNG: A “Corporate” Cartel
The CJNG grew faster than any other cartel in history by operating like a multinational franchise.
| Feature | Impact |
| Fentanyl Pipeline | They became the dominant suppliers of synthetic opioids to the U.S. and Europe. |
| Military Might | The group famously used a rocket launcher to down a military helicopter in 2015. |
| Territorial Grip | At its peak, the CJNG operated in nearly 25 of Mexico’s 32 states. |
The 2026 Turning Point
On February 22, 2026, a joint operation by the Mexican military and U.S. intelligence cornered El Mencho in the highlands of Jalisco.
- The Raid: A targeted strike in Tapalpa led to a massive firefight between elite paratroopers and the cartel’s inner circle.
- The Outcome: El Mencho was fatally wounded during the extraction, ending his decade-long run as Mexico’s most-wanted man.
- The Fallout: His death has left the CJNG in a state of “fragmented war,” as lieutenants scramble for control while the Sinaloa Cartel attempts to reclaim lost ground.
What’s Next?
The big question now is whether the CJNG will survive as a unified force or splinter into smaller, even more unpredictable “cells.”
