Who is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho”?
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known internationally as “El Mencho,” is one of the world’s most dangerous and powerful drug lords and the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a criminal organization that has grown to become one of the most widespread and violent cartels in Mexico and internationally. Following the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, “El Mencho” rose to fill the power vacuum and became a prime target for both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Mexican authorities.
Historical context: The drug war and the rise of the Jalisco Cartel
Since 2006, Mexico has been embroiled in a brutal drug war, leading to the disintegration of the major traditional cartels and the emergence of new, more ruthless groups. Amid this chaos, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was born. Founded around 2010 as a splinter faction of the Milenio Cartel, which had been allied with the Sinaloa Cartel, El Mencho skillfully exploited the infighting among rival cartels and the pressure exerted on them by the authorities. He rapidly expanded his organization's influence from its stronghold in the state of Jalisco to control vast swaths of Mexican territory, stretching from coast to coast.
El Mencho's Journey: From Avocado Farmer to Drug Kingpin
Born into a poor family in Michoacán, "El Mencho" worked as an avocado farmer in his youth before illegally immigrating to the United States in the 1980s. There, he became involved with a heroin distribution network in California, leading to his arrest and imprisonment for several years. After being deported to Mexico, he briefly joined the local police force before fully embracing organized crime. Through his cunning and ruthlessness, he rose through the ranks until he founded his own organization, which has become a global criminal powerhouse.
The local and international influence of the Jalisco Cartel
Domestically, the Jalisco Cartel is known for its excessive violence and paramilitary tactics, including shooting down a military helicopter, using armed drones, and directly attacking government officials. This violence has exacerbated Mexico's security crisis. Internationally, the cartel has become a major player in the global drug market, particularly in the production and trafficking of deadly synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl to the United States, Europe, and Asia. As a result, the U.S. government has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to its capture, one of the highest rewards in the history of law enforcement.
An uncertain future and fears of escalating violence
Despite a massive international manhunt, “El Mencho” remained at large for decades, cementing his legendary status. However, in recent years, strong rumors have circulated about his deteriorating health and chronic illnesses that may have ended his life—reports that authorities have yet to officially confirm. The potential disappearance of “El Mencho,” whether through capture or death, raises serious concerns about a bloody succession war within the cartel and a wider conflict with rival cartels for control of smuggling routes. This could plunge his areas of influence into a new wave of violence and pose a formidable security challenge for the Mexican government and its international partners.
