What to Know About the Cartels Operating in Mexico

NYT Homepage

by Ephrat Livni

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, the leader of Mexico’s powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has created a significant leadership vacuum. His passing could allow rival cartels to expand their influence and potentially fill the power gap left by his cartel. El Mencho, who transformed CJNG into one of Mexico’s most dominant criminal organizations over the past decade, relied on strategic partnerships with smaller gangs to extend his reach. However, without his central authority, CJNG may face internal fragmentation, while competitors like the Sinaloa Cartel could move to seize territories and resources previously controlled by CJNG. El Mencho’s leadership was marked by a unique approach to expanding CJNG’s influence. He established “franchise” agreements with smaller gangs in regions outside his direct control, allowing him to project power across Mexico without directly ruling those areas. This strategy enabled CJNG to become the most potent criminal syndicate in the country, controlling vast networks for drug trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities. His death could disrupt this carefully constructed network, as both internal factions within CJNG and external cartels compete for control. The Mexican government, under pressure from the Trump administration’s anti-cartel policies, has long targeted top cartel leaders. El Mencho’s killing, which resulted in significant casualties including 70 dead—gang members and security forces alike—underscores the ongoing violence and instability in Mexico’s drug war. Senior CJNG member Julio Alberto Castillo Rodriguez, known as El Ch

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/24/2026