The collapse of CJNG leadership after El Mencho’s death has triggered unrest across Mexico and could affect cartel operations in the United States, from trafficking to local violence.
Many in Mexico are asking how long the violence brewing within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) will last as factors compete for control of the powerful criminal organization.
The lack of a clearly identified successor — particularly one with generational legitimacy — has created instability within what is considered one of the world’s most powerful criminal groups. Mexican authorities fear violence could intensify in the coming days, either driven by rival cartels seeking to exploit the uncertainty or by internal leaders seeking to replace Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.”
Los Angeles and other U.S. cities may not be immune to this struggle. They represent key extensions of the cartel’s operations, and the most likely outcome could involve territorial reshuffling — or the potential expansion of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Los Angeles: A Strategic Stronghold for the CJNG
Los Angeles is considered one of the main U.S. cities where the CJNG maintains major drug distribution hubs. Authorities say the cartel traffics fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin through the region.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the CJNG has used Los Angeles as a strategic trafficking corridor and has significantly contributed to the methamphetamine crisis in the area.
DEA reports from 2020 — reaffirmed in 2024 and 2025 — indicate that the cartel operates through networks of local traffickers and facilitators. Federal investigations have led to arrests of alleged members in Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
Despite recent reports of the death of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the CJNG remains one of the most powerful criminal organizations operating across multiple U.S. cities.
Where the CJNG Operates in the United States
The extreme violence associated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is not confined to Mexico. The criminal organization led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes has expanded its illicit activities to more than 100 countries, including the United States.
To U.S. Department of Justice document titled “Protecting U.S. National Territory: Combating the Flow from the Southwest Border,” released on July 12, states that the cartel — sometimes referred to as the “four-letter cartel” — operates at least four key distribution centers in major American cities:
Los Angeles, California
Seattle, Washington
Charlotte, North Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
However, the CJNG’s footprint extends beyond these hubs. In other cities, it may not operate formal distribution centers but maintains networks of local traffickers, engages in money laundering, and controls properties used to store narcotics.
