What we know about the killing of Mexico’s ‘El Mencho’
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Mexican special forces have successfully killed Joaquín El Mencho Guzmán, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), considered one of Mexico’s most wanted criminals. The operation, carried out in a high-stakes confrontation, marks a significant blow to organized crime in the country. El Mencho, whose real name was Joaquín Jesús Ramos Guzmán, built a vast network of power and fear across Mexico, leading CJNG to become one of the most powerful drug cartels in the nation. His death is seen as a major milestone in Mexico’s ongoing efforts to combat cartel violence.
El Mencho gained notoriety for his ruthless leadership and strategic expansion of CJNG, which controlled large portions of Mexico’s drug trade and territorial disputes with other cartels. His influence extended beyond traditional drug trafficking, as CJNG was also involved in kidnappings, extortions, and assassinations. As a result, El Mencho became a symbol of both the cartel’s power and the challenges faced by Mexican authorities in their fight against organized crime.
The killing of El Mencho is expected to have far-reaching consequences for CJNG. Analysts suggest that his removal could lead to internal conflicts within the cartel as rival factions jostle for control, potentially reducing its short-term influence but also creating new threats as smaller groups rise to power. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities are likely to use this opportunity to target other high-profile cartel members, signaling a broader push to dismantle criminal networks.
From a global perspective, El Mencho’s death underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Mexico in addressing organized crime and its impact on regional stability. While his elimination is a significant achievement for Mexican security forces, it also highlights the enduring challenges of combating drug cartels, which remain a critical issue for international security and cooperation. The situation in Mexico serves as a reminder of the complex and dangerous landscape of organized crime, both domestically and internationally.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026