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In the world of organized crime, few figures loom as large as Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho.” As the elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), El Mencho has become one of the most feared and powerful drug lords not only in Mexico but also globally. His name inspires both terror and fascination, as his cartel has grown into a criminal empire with influence stretching across continents. This article explores El Mencho’s background, his rise to power, the structure of CJNG, his impact on Mexico, and the global hunt to capture him.
Early Life and Background
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was born on July 17, 1966, in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico, a region long plagued by poverty, inequality, and organized crime. Aguililla’s rugged terrain and proximity to major drug trafficking routes made it a fertile ground for criminal groups. El Mencho grew up in this environment, initially working as a farmer and later becoming involved in petty crime.
In his younger years, El Mencho reportedly migrated to the United States, where he lived for some time in California. While there, he was arrested for criminal offenses, including drug possession and distribution. After serving time in U.S. prisons, he was deported back to Mexico. These experiences not only toughened him but also exposed him to the workings of international drug markets.
Entry into Organized Crime
Upon his return to Mexico, El Mencho joined Mileno Cartel, which later became part of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel. He worked under various criminal bosses, learning the trade of drug trafficking, logistics, and cartel politics. This period proved crucial in shaping his understanding of cartel structures and how to rise within them.
In the mid-2000s, Mexico’s criminal landscape began to change dramatically due to government crackdowns on cartels. The power vacuum created by the weakening of established cartels such as the Arellano Félix Organization and the Beltrán Leyva Cartel opened opportunities for ambitious figures like El Mencho. He eventually broke away and helped form a new group that would become one of the most violent and dominant criminal organizations in Mexico: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The Rise of CJNG
The CJNG emerged around 2010, initially positioning itself as a paramilitary group aiming to fight rival cartels. However, it quickly became clear that CJNG’s ambitions went far beyond self-defense. Under El Mencho’s leadership, the group expanded aggressively, seizing territories in Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, and beyond.
What set CJNG apart from other cartels was its discipline, military-style organization, and technological sophistication. Unlike older cartels that often fragmented due to internal disputes, CJNG built a tight hierarchy with El Mencho at the top, commanding loyalty and instilling fear. The cartel also invested heavily in weapons, armored vehicles, and advanced communications technology, giving it the appearance of a private army.
Today, CJNG is considered one of the most powerful drug cartels in the world. It controls significant drug trafficking routes, especially for methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, which are smuggled into the United States and distributed globally.
El Mencho’s Leadership Style
El Mencho is known for being extremely cautious and elusive. Unlike flamboyant drug lords such as Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who often flaunted wealth and power, El Mencho has maintained a low profile, rarely appearing in public or on video. His ability to stay in the shadows has made him one of the hardest criminals to capture.
He combines ruthlessness with strategic planning. CJNG has a reputation for brutality—including mass killings, public displays of violence, and targeted assassinations. At the same time, El Mencho has adopted tactics to win local support, such as funding social programs, distributing food during crises, and presenting himself as a defender of his community. This mixture of fear and loyalty has strengthened CJNG’s grip on its territories.
CJNG’s Expansion and Global Reach
Under El Mencho, CJNG expanded far beyond Jalisco. The cartel now operates in at least 28 of Mexico’s 32 states, making it one of the most territorially dominant cartels in the country. It has clashed with other powerful groups, including remnants of the Sinaloa Cartel and local militias, leading to brutal turf wars.
CJNG’s influence is not limited to Mexico. The cartel has established connections with international criminal networks in Asia, Europe, Central America, and South America. Through these links, CJNG controls the supply of precursor chemicals from China for fentanyl production and maintains distribution channels across multiple continents. This global reach has made CJNG a direct threat not only to Mexico’s security but also to international law enforcement agencies.
U.S. and Mexican Governments’ Response
El Mencho’s rise has not gone unnoticed by authorities. Both the Mexican government and the United States have labeled him as one of the most wanted criminals in the world. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has placed a multi-million-dollar bounty on his head, reflecting the threat he poses to public health and security due to the fentanyl crisis.
Despite massive manhunts, El Mencho has evaded capture for over a decade. Reports suggest he frequently moves through rural areas of Jalisco and Michoacán, protected by loyal gunmen and supported by local communities. His survival is also attributed to his use of counterintelligence tactics, including encrypted communications and a strict internal code within CJNG.
Human Cost of CJNG’s Power
The growth of CJNG under El Mencho has come at a devastating cost. The cartel is linked to massacres, kidnappings, extortion, and disappearances across Mexico. Its confrontations with rivals and government forces have resulted in thousands of deaths. In regions under its control, civilians often live in fear, caught between cartel violence and military crackdowns.
At the same time, CJNG’s dominance in the fentanyl trade has fueled a public health crisis, particularly in the United States. The synthetic opioid is responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. Law enforcement agencies point to El Mencho’s cartel as a major player in this deadly epidemic.
Family Ties and Personal Life
While El Mencho himself remains hidden, his family has often been in the spotlight of law enforcement actions. His wife, Rosalinda González Valencia, has been arrested multiple times on charges related to money laundering. His children have also been involved in the cartel’s operations:
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Rubén Oseguera González (“El Menchito”), his son, was once considered his heir apparent before being captured and extradited to the United States in 2020.
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Jessica Johanna Oseguera González, his daughter, was convicted in the U.S. for financial crimes related to CJNG businesses.
These arrests highlight how CJNG functions as both a criminal organization and a family enterprise.
The Hunt for El Mencho
Despite relentless efforts, El Mencho remains at large. He is believed to be suffering from health issues, which reportedly limit his movements. Rumors persist that he hides in remote rural areas under heavy protection, moving frequently to avoid detection. His continued freedom is a source of frustration for authorities and a symbol of the challenges Mexico faces in dismantling powerful cartels.
The DEA has compared El Mencho’s significance to that of Pablo Escobar and El Chapo Guzmán, but with one key difference: El Mencho has avoided the kind of high-profile capture or downfall that befell his predecessors. His survival underscores both his cunning and the deep-rooted issues of corruption, poverty, and impunity in Mexico that allow cartels to thrive.
Legacy and Impact
El Mencho’s story is not merely about one man but about the conditions that enable figures like him to rise. His legacy is marked by violence, fear, and global criminal influence. The CJNG under his leadership has redefined the scale of cartel power, combining military-style discipline with international business operations.
For Mexico, El Mencho represents both a national security challenge and a symbol of the state’s struggle against organized crime. For the United States and other nations, he is a reminder that the global drug trade is a complex, multinational problem requiring international cooperation.
Conclusion
El Mencho’s rise from a poor farmer in Michoacán to the leader of the world’s most powerful cartel is a testament to the dangerous intersections of poverty, opportunity, and organized crime. His control over CJNG has reshaped Mexico’s criminal landscape, spreading violence at home and drugs abroad.
While law enforcement agencies continue to pursue him, El Mencho’s ability to remain at large speaks volumes about his strategy and the entrenched nature of cartel power in Mexico. Whether he is ultimately captured or continues to evade justice, his name will remain etched in the history of organized crime as one of its most elusive and influential figures.
