Shifts in Power: Mexico after El Mencho

By: Mayra Coyoy

Word Count: 540

Estimated Read Time: 3 min 30 seconds

The front page of the newspaper regarding the death of Nemesio Oseguera ("El Mencho”), leader of Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel, who was killed while being transported to Mexico City after being hurt in a gunfight with soldiers on February 22 in the Jalisco state town of Tapalpa, according to the army. (Image by Yuri Cortez/ Getty Images)

The death of El Mencho, has reignited conversations about the future of organized crime in Mexico. Communities across western Mexico are facing an uncertain moment. The longtime leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel is widely considered one of the most powerful figures in the country’s criminal landscape. Cervantes’ influence started across multiple regions of Mexico and into international drug markets. While his death marks the end of a powerful era, it does not necessarily signal the end of the cartel regime he helped build. Now, with his sudden removal, attention has shifted from the man himself to the questions of what comes next.

March 2, 2026. Funeral employees carrying the deceased body of drug trafficker Nemesio “El Mench” Oseguera at La Paz Funeral home in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico. (Image by Ulisas Ruiz/Getty Images).

Born in Michoacan, Mexico, Oseguera Cervantes rose to prominence during an era when cartel power in the country was rapidly shifting. Over time, he established CNJG as one of the most dominant and violent criminal organizations in Mexico, known for both its rapid expansion and its willingness to confront rivals and state authorities directly. Under his leadership, the cartel grew into a major force in drug trafficking, weapons, smuggling, and other illicit operations.

For years, authorities in Mexico and the United States attempted to capture him, placing significant resources into dismantling his organization and capturing Cervantes. The U.S. State Department even offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest. Despite these efforts, Oseguera Cervantes managed to evade arrest for long periods, strengthening his reputation as one of the most elusive cartel leaders in recent history.

On February 22, 2026, view the site of how armed men blocked several highways in the western state of Jalisco, setting vehicles on fire in response to federal security. (Image by Ulisas Ruiz/Getty Images).

But the consequences of his death are now being felt most immediately on the ground. In the hours following the operation that killed him, authorities reported road blockades, vehicle burnings, and armed confrontations across parts of western Mexico. These acts are widely interpreted as attempts by cartel members to demonstrate continued control and response to the loss of their leader. 

For residents living in areas where CNJG has long maintained influence, the situation has created renewed uncertainty. Leadership transactions within large criminal organizations often lead to internal struggles as factions attempt to consolidate power. At the same time, rival groups may see the moment as an opportunity to challenge the cartel’s control over territory and trafficking routes.

The death of El Mencho represents a turning point, but not necessarily a resolution. While the removal of one of Mexico’s most powerful cartel leaders may disrupt the organization he led, it also raises new questions about how the balance of power within the country’s criminal networks may shift in the months ahead.