What Is CJNG? Violent Cartel's Background Before Issuing Threat Following El Mencho's Killing

The era of Mexico's most elusive kingpin has ended in a hail of gunfire, but the true shockwaves are only beginning to ripple across the North American continent. Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, the head of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), or Jalisco New Generation Cartel in English, was killed during a clash between the Mexican army and CJNG members on Sunday, 22 February.

El Mencho's death does not signify peace; rather, it has prompted a chilling mobilisation of one of the world's most sophisticated paramilitary organisations. It has also thrust the CJNG into the spotlight.

What Is CJNG? Inside The Rapid Rise Of A Multi-Billion-Pound Empire

Erick Valencia Salazar ('El 85') founded CJNG in 2009 as the paramilitary wing of the Sinaloa Cartel. It was initially designed to protect Sinaloa's interests and to combat rivals such as Los Zetas. However, it quickly evolved into a dominant force that challenged the Sinaloa Cartel's long-standing hegemony.

Under El Mencho's strategic and often brutal leadership, the group expanded its influence from the state of Jalisco to nearly every corner of Mexico. The organisation is now estimated to be worth over £15.4 billion ($20 billion), funding a private army that rivals national forces.

This meteoric growth was fuelled by a diversification of criminal enterprises, moving beyond narcotics into fuel theft, extortion, and human trafficking. El Mencho's leadership was defined by a corporate-style expansion that prioritised territorial control and the elimination of any local opposition.

By the time of his death, the CJNG had established a presence in over 20 Mexican states, with strongholds in Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, and Guanajuato, among others. CJNG also controls major ports like Veracruz, Manzanillo, and Lázaro Cárdenas, overseeing the export and import of illegal goods, the Global Guardian reported.

A Legacy Of Military-Grade Terror And Spectacle

What set the CJNG apart from its predecessors was a blatant and theatrical use of violence that served as a psychological weapon against the state. The group gained international notoriety during the 2015 siege of Guadalajara, where they used dozens of narco-blockades and shot down a military helicopter.

The cartel was also involved in the 2018 assassination attempt of former state prosecutor and labour secretary, Luis Carlos Nájera, which led to a shootout in Guadalajara. In 2019, CJNG members killed 19 members of its rival Los Viagras amid their fight over avocado and lime farmer extortion.

In 2020, CJNG ambushed Mexico City's police chief, Omar García Harfuch. The encounter resulted in multiple deaths. This level of aggression demonstrated that the cartel was not merely hiding from the law, but was actively seeking to overwhelm it.

Despite their reputation for ambushing police and executing rivals, the CJNG has maintained a curious policy regarding foreign nationals. They largely avoid targeting tourists, particularly Americans, to prevent drawing the full, unrestricted wrath of the United States military and intelligence agencies. This strategic restraint has allowed holiday destinations in Jalisco to remain relatively functional, even as the surrounding regions descended into cartel chaos.

Vowing Retaliation: CJNG On A War Footing After El Mencho

The confirmation that the Mexican military successfully targeted El Mencho has triggered an immediate and coordinated response from his subordinates. In the hours following the announcement of the CJNG chief's passing, several videos appeared online featuring rows of masked gunmen in high-end tactical gear.

These men issued direct threats against government buildings and high-ranking officials, promising a 'scorched earth' policy in the wake of their leader's death. Military intelligence suggests that the cartel is currently in a state of high alert, moving heavy weaponry towards the capital. The fear is that the CJNG will initiate a series of narco-blockades, where buses and lorries are set on fire to trap security forces within city limits.

While the head of the hydra has been removed, the body of the CJNG remains fully armed, highly motivated and seemingly ready to avenge the man who built their empire.