This weekend marked a significant shift in Mexico’s drug trafficking landscape with the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Mexican Army Special Forces confirmed his death, prompting experts to anticipate a major restructuring of the cartel and a potential rise in violence.
The CJNG, which had built an exceptional operational capacity under El Mencho, projects influence across much of Mexico and abroad. Citing the U.S. State Department, the cartel is involved in multiple criminal activities, including fentanyl trafficking, extortion, oil and mineral theft, and arms smuggling.
Origins of the CJNG
The CJNG’s origins can be traced back to the Sinaloa Cartel, which was spearheaded by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. In 2007, an armed faction named the Milenio Cartel was created in Jalisco by Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel, but the group was later reformed into the CJNG after the alliance with Sinaloa broke down from internal conflict and the incarceration of several key players.
The cartel first gained notoriety under the moniker “Los Mata Zetas” (The Zeta Killers) when it claimed responsibility for the grisly discovery of bodies in Veracruz in 2011. Following Coronel’s death in 2010, leadership transferred to Oseguera Cervantes, who expanded their methamphetamine operations significantly.
Embracing Technology
Under El Mencho’s leadership, the CJNG leveraged cutting-edge technology to enhance its operations. The cartel utilized advanced digital tools for recruitment and fraud, even engaging in AI-supported financial scams. A recent study indicated that new platforms like TikTok have emerged as recruitment tools, with several accounts promoting illegal activities and seeking new members.
Additionally, the CJNG began using drones for military operations about five years ago, targeting rivals and carrying out assaults. These aerial devices have been pivotal in numerous attacks, contributing to a disturbing rise in drone warfare among criminal organizations in Mexico.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) noted that the CJNG operates in more than 40 countries and has established a money-laundering network known as Los Cuinis, which is responsible for consolidating their financial resources through various ventures.
Future Implications
Despite the death of its leader, security experts argue that the CJNG’s decentralized command structure may allow it to endure and adapt. El Mencho’s demise poses both risks and opportunities; while it may spur factional violence, it might also present an opportunity to disrupt the cartel’s operations enabled by their innovative use of technology.
As the cartels evolve amidst changing leadership and employ next-generation strategies, the battle against organized crime is far from over, and history suggests that new cells could emerge in the absence of centralized control. The pressing question remains whether enforcement agencies can leverage advancements to dismantle these evolving criminal networks.
