Mexico: What is the Fate of the Jalisco Drug Cartel After the Death of Its Leader El Mencho?

After hours of the death of Nemesio Oseguera, leader of Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation drug cartel, known as El Mencho, in a military raid yesterday, Sunday, gunmen suspected of being his supporters blocked highways in several states and set fire to cars and shops. Following the death of the leader, the question of succession and the fate of the organization besieged by Mexico and the United States jumps to the surface.

Escalation of Violence After the Leader’s Death

Violent Reaction from Cartel Supporters

Shortly after Oseguera’s death, several Mexican states witnessed an escalation in acts of violence, as gunmen suspected of belonging to the cartel blocked main highways and set fire to cars and commercial shops. These retaliatory acts come as a direct response to the death of the leader who had been leading the cartel for years.

Impact of the Military Raid

The military raid that led to the death of El Mencho was the result of a joint operation between the Mexican armed forces and American intelligence. The operation resulted in the death of the leader and several members of his personal security detail, leading to a state of chaos within the ranks of the cartel.

Future of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel

The Question of Succession

The question of succession and the fate of the organization besieged by Mexico and the United States now jumps to the surface. Who will succeed El Mencho in leading the cartel? Will his successor be able to maintain the organization’s cohesion or will it collapse under security pressure?

Internal and External Challenges

The cartel faces major challenges on several fronts. Internally, the death of the leader may lead to a power struggle within the organization. Externally, Mexican and American authorities continue their pressures to eradicate these gangs.

Impact of El Mencho’s Death on Drug Trafficking

Change in Drug Trafficking Map

The death of El Mencho may lead to a change in the map of drug trafficking in Mexico and beyond. The cartel, under his leadership, was one of the strongest criminal organizations in the country, and his absence may create a power vacuum that other cartels may fill.

Implications for National Security

The implications of El Mencho’s death go beyond drug trafficking to include the national security of Mexico and the United States. The cartel was responsible for widespread acts of violence, and the absence of its leadership may lead to a period of instability that other criminal groups may exploit.

Future of the War on Drugs

New Strategies Required

The death of El Mencho raises questions about the effectiveness of current strategies in the war on drugs. Is targeting leaders enough to achieve long-term results? Or is there a need for a comprehensive approach that includes addressing the root causes of organized crime?

International Cooperation

The success of the operation that led to El Mencho’s death highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime. This success may serve as a model for future operations targeting cartel leaders in Mexico and other Latin American countries.