Drug Lord ‘El Mencho’ Was Killed in Mexico. What’s Next for the Cartel He Led?

Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Guadalajara was plunged into chaos almost immediately as the cartel retaliated: gunmen torched stores and banks, blockaded highways and spread violence to cities and beach resorts.

The cartel’s future now hinges on whether it can appoint a successor and close ranks or instead fracture into warring factions. The group has typically followed dynastic patterns, but several of El Mencho’s brothers and his son have been arrested or extradited, and observers say his widow, Rosalinda González Valencia, would likely face resistance in assuming command in a macho environment.

Mexico also confronts the prospect of a two‑front fight, already engaged with the Sinaloa Cartel. Operations are split between the security minister, Omar García Harfuch, who has focused on Sinaloa, and the military, which led the operation that killed El Mencho.

Mexico, Guadalajara

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