The power structure of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is undergoing a historic transformation following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” According to The Wall Street Journal, Juan Carlos Valencia González, a U.S. citizen born in California and the drug lord’s stepson, has taken control of the criminal group.
The rise of the stepson of Nemesio Oseguera and Rosalinda González Valencia represents an unprecedented challenge for both U.S. and Mexican authorities, given the risk of internal fragmentation within the criminal organization and the legal consequences associated with his nationality.
In late February, Mexican special forces, with the support of CIA surveillance technology, located and killed “El Mencho” at a compound in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the operation to locate “El Mencho” involved a Predator drone, deployed at the request of the Mexican government. The drone flew over the resort and allowed authorities to identify Oseguera Cervantes after he was seen embracing his partner. This evidence was key for Mexican special forces to decide to raid the property and kill the CJNG leader along with eight of his bodyguards.
Following the operation, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes’ remains were buried in a lavish and ostentatious ceremony: the funeral featured a gold coffin surrounded by rooster-shaped floral arrangements, alluding to his nickname “The Lord of the Roosters,” and accompanied by banda music.
After the death of Oseguera Cervantes, attention within the CJNG focused on the succession, where five of the organization’s most important men emerged: Juan Carlos Valencia González (“El 03”), Ricardo Ruiz Velasco (“El RR” or “Doble R”), Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán (“El Sapo” or “El 090”), Audias Flores Silva (“El Jardinero”) and Heraclio Guerrero Martínez (“El Tío Lako”).
