Guadalupe Moreno Carrillo: The Rise and Fall of ‘El Mencho’ and the CJNG
The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” in a recent operation by the Mexican army marks a pivotal moment for the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). Widely considered the most powerful cartel in Mexico, and one of the most violent criminal organizations globally, the CJNG now faces a period of restructuring that experts predict will unleash a dangerous wave of violence. This article delves into the history, operations, and potential future of this formidable cartel.
From Sinaloa’s Shadow to Dominance
In less than a decade, the CJNG has transformed into a powerful force, extending its criminal network throughout the Americas and eclipsing historically dominant organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel. According to U.S. authorities, its primary business revolves around the illegal trade of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl to the United States. Accusations also include amphetamine trafficking in Europe and drug trade connections in Asia.
The CJNG’s power isn’t solely military or territorial. David Mora, Senior Analyst in Mexico at the International Crisis Group, explains that the cartel is “extremely powerful in terms of the criminal markets it operated in: not only drug production and trafficking, but also extortion markets in Mexico’s agricultural and mining regions.”
Origins as a Sinaloa Enforcer
The CJNG originated as a local armed branch of the Sinaloa Cartel in 2007, initially tasked with protecting its areas of influence in Jalisco. Created by Ignacio Coronel, “El Nacho,” a key financial operator for the Sinaloa Cartel and associate of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the group also incorporated another faction known as “Cartel del Milenio.”
Initially, the group, known as “Matazetas” (Zeta Killers), clashed violently with Los Zetas, a rival organization vying for control of Jalisco. Their public emergence came in September 2011 with the discovery of 35 bodies in Boca del Río, Veracruz, an act the group claimed responsibility for in a widely circulated video.
The Rise of ‘El Mencho’
By this time, the group had already severed ties with Sinaloa. Following “El Nacho’s” death in 2010, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” who had been part of Cartel del Milenio, seized the opportunity to fill the power vacuum and challenge his former allies in the mountainous region of Sinaloa.
“El Mencho” ascended through the ranks of the drug trade from humble beginnings. He initially served as a bodyguard for Armando Valencia Cornelio, “El Maradona,” a leader of Cartel del Milenio, and solidified his position by marrying one of the clan’s sisters. Before his involvement in cartels, Oseguera Cervantes had been a police officer in Jalisco and was deported from the United States in the 1980s after involvement in drug sales.
From Local Band to National Powerhouse
After the arrest of the Cartel del Milenio leader, the group fractured. “El Mencho” led one faction, “Los Matazetas,” which ultimately prevailed and evolved into the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación. The CJNG expanded from a local presence in Jalisco and Colima to control over more than half of Mexican territory.
Experts were surprised by the speed of their ascent. In just five years, they displaced the Knights Templar cartel in Michoacán, ousted Los Zetas from northern Jalisco and Zacatecas, and crucially, challenged the Sinaloa Cartel’s dominance in the synthetic drug market. This occurred amidst internal strife within the Sinaloa Cartel following the capture and extradition of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Key Factors in the CJNG’s Growth
Several factors contributed to the CJNG’s explosive growth. The capture of rival cartel leaders created openings in the market, while the CJNG’s recruitment of financial experts and chemists allowed them to innovate in drug production. Their reputation for extreme violence also played a significant role. Authorities described “El Mencho” as a dangerous figure with considerable firepower, known for “crushing” rival groups.
The CJNG diversified its interests beyond drug trafficking, investing in legitimate businesses in Jalisco’s booming agricultural, livestock, and construction sectors to launder money. They also exploited corruption within local authorities and customs officials to facilitate the import of precursor chemicals through ports like Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas.
Global Reach and Financial Network
The CJNG’s influence extends far beyond Mexico. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports the cartel has a presence in over 40 countries. Their financial arm, “Los Cuinis,” led by “El Mencho’s” brother-in-law, Abigael Sánchez Valencia, manages a vast money laundering network, utilizing Chinese networks, cryptocurrency exchanges, bulk cash smuggling, and trade-based money laundering to repatriate illicit profits.
The Future of the CJNG
“El Mencho’s” death raises critical questions about succession and potential power struggles. David Mora notes that the cartel’s future hinges on how it restructures itself and navigates conflicts with smaller groups in various states. “These processes are usually accompanied not only by tension but also by violence.”
While the immediate surge in violence may subside, experts anticipate that rival organizations will react to the power vacuum, potentially triggering internal conflicts within the CJNG. As Mora cautions, “The decapitation of a cartel does not necessarily mean the extinction of the organization.”
You can read more about this topic at BBC News Mundo.
