El Mencho’s killing won’t solve Mexico’s cartel problem – or anything else

Al Jazeera

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” leader of Mexico’s powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has been widely celebrated as a significant blow to the country’s drug trafficking problem. However, history shows that such high-profile eliminations rarely disrupt the flow of drugs or reduce violence in the long term. The U.S. deputy secretary of state even called the killing a “great development” for both Mexico and the world, but experts warn that this view is overly optimistic. Similar attempts to dismantle cartels by targeting their leaders have often led to increased violence, as rival groups fill the power vacuum. The article highlights how the deaths of other cartel kingpins, like Pablo Escobar, failed to stop the drug trade or reduce violence. In Colombia, for instance,Escobar’s elimination was followed by decades of intense conflict and human rights abuses, much of it carried out with U.S. backing. This pattern suggests that the killing of El Mencho is unlikely to bring lasting peace to Mexico. Instead, it may simply shift power dynamics among rival groups, leading to further violence and instability. The article also critiques the role of the U.S. in Mexico’s drug war. While American officials have praised the Mexican government for taking down El Mencho, this operation was likely influenced by U.S. intelligence and pressure. The relationship between the two nations is complicated, with Mexico often facing pressure to comply with U.S. demands while trying to maintain its sovereignty. This dynamic has left Mexicans bearing the brunt of increased violence and instability. The broader context of Mexico’s drug war reveals a deeply entrenched problem that cannot be solved by targeting individual leaders. Over the past decade, more than 500,000 people have been killed or disappeared as a result of the conflict. The U.S. demand for drugs continues to fuel the violence, and the involvement of state forces in Mexico has often worsened the situation rather than improving it. Ultimately, the killing of El Mencho is unlikely to bring significant change. It may provide a temporary sense of achievement but does little to address the root causes of Mexico’s cartel problem or reduce the flow of drugs into the U

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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026