El Mencho’s Overthrow Shaped by U.S. Strategies
Recent government documents indicate that the removal of drug lord El Mencho over the weekend was the result of over a year of intense “total elimination” strategies initiated by the Trump administration against the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which operates in nearly all states across the U.S.
Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera Cervantes, recognized as “El Mencho,” was reported killed on Sunday during a Mexican military operation in Tapalpa, Mexico. While this action was executed by the Mexican military, U.S. efforts were critical in making this outcome possible.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the State Department to officially designate several cartels and international criminal organizations as “foreign terrorist organizations” (FTOs). Being labeled as an FTO allows for heightened military surveillance and prosecution against these groups. Although CJNG may not be as widely known as others like MS-13, it was included in this designation.
Shortly after this order on February 5, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo to all Department of Justice staff outlining a shift in mindset towards a “total elimination” policy against cartels and transnational crime networks.
Instead of merely trying to mitigate cartel-related harm, Bondi emphasized that the Justice Department would bypass bureaucratic hurdles, enabling federal prosecutors nationwide to collaborate urgently with various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to eliminate threats to U.S. sovereignty.
The memo outlined a focus on targeting cartel leaders and managers specifically.
CJNG is noted as one of Mexico’s most brutal cartels and a primary fentanyl supplier to the United States, positioning it as a substantial threat to both public health and national security, as reflected in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment.
The DEA highlighted that CJNG maintains a vast distribution network across the U.S., with connections in almost all 50 states. Additionally, the cartel has escalated its engagement in a range of non-drug crimes, including extortion and fraudulent schemes.
A statement from the Justice Department submitted to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in 2019 described CJNG as “one of the most powerful and fastest-growing cartels,” with major distribution hubs located in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. Estimates suggest the cartel could have around 15,000 to 20,000 members.
Recognizing the severe threat from CJNG, the administration reported notable advancements shortly after Trump’s inauguration. On February 27, Bondi announced that the U.S. had secured the extradition of 29 high-ranking cartel figures from Mexico, including some of CJNG’s leading members, key financial operatives, and even family of El Mencho. Among those extradited was El Mencho’s brother, Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “Tony Montana,” who faced indictments in D.C. for his role in the cartel.
On March 7, El Mencho’s son, Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez, dubbed “El Mencito,” received a life sentence plus 30 years after being extradited to the United States during Trump’s first term in 2020.
The administration also ramped up its counteractions against cartels on March 15 by designating fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction, which allowed for the deployment of advanced military resources for interdiction efforts at the border. This decision significantly impacted CJNG’s drug smuggling operations.
June saw additional impactful measures against CJNG. El Mencho’s brother-in-law, Jose González Valencia, also known as “La Chepa,” was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, along with another executive, co-founder of the cartel’s financial arm, who faced similar sentences.
This month also marked the first time the Treasury Department invoked the FEND off-fentanyl law, effectively removing three major Mexican banks from the U.S. dollar system due to suspicions of money laundering related to CJNG.
In August, the U.S. managed to extradite another 26 high-profile cartel figures from Mexico, including El Mencho’s other brother-in-law, Abigael González Valencia, who was in charge of the cartel’s main money-laundering operations.
September brought about a significant operation led by the DEA and Department of Homeland Security, targeting CJNG’s distribution network. This effort resulted in 670 arrests and the seizure of significant amounts of cash and assets, alongside an alarming volume of fentanyl powder and counterfeit pills.
DEA Administrator Terrence Cole remarked that the focus on CJNG as a terrorist organization would span from its leadership to its distribution network, indicating a comprehensive approach.
Once 2025 drew to a close, the DEA reported an astonishing total of 47 million fentanyl pills seized from cartel traffickers, underscoring the scale of the threat posed by groups like CJNG.
In early 2026, governmental action against CJNG intensified further, with the establishment of the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter-Cartel Task Force (JIATF-CC) aimed at dismantling cartel activities threatening the U.S.-Mexico border.
Just before the Tapalpa assault on February 19, the Treasury Department targeted Covey Gardens, a CJNG-managed resort in Puerto Vallarta, successfully cutting off a revenue stream worth $300 million.
Post-attack, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed that the U.S. had provided intelligence support to Mexico during the operation, emphasizing that there would be unwavering efforts against narcotics terrorists.
