Cartel Power Struggle Looms After ‘El Mencho’ Killing

The killing of Mexican cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” by Mexican authorities has left a leadership vacuum in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC), with observers fearing a violent succession battle and attempts by rival gangs to control its territory.

While Mexico’s security efforts have in part been a response to U.S. pressure — including the threat of tariffs and military intervention — since President Claudia Sheinbaum was elected in October 2024, she replaced her predecessor’s “hugs not bullets” policy with heightened security operations against non-state armed groups.

Clashes between security forces and non-state armed groups increased by 26% in 2025.

Mexican security forces killed El Mencho during an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco on February 22, triggering clashes throughout the country, with reports of violence against security officials, roadblocks and arson attacks against businesses in at least 20 states.

At least seven cartel members died in the violent operation. Since then, the casualty count has risen to about 70 dead, including gang members and security forces. El Mencho had four top commanders, but it is not yet clear who in the leadership ranks has survived and may take his place.

It may take some time for the cartel to regroup.

Over the last 10 years, Cervantes had turned the CJNG from a faction within the Sinaloa Cartel into one of the fastest-growing drug empires in the world by collaborating with smaller gangs in territory outside his control. But now rival cartels may vie for dominance.

As The New York Times documents, the major rival drug cartels to JNGC in Mexico include:

Sinaloa Cartel

The Sinaloa Cartel, based in the state of Sinaloa in northwest Mexico, was long considered one of the world’s most powerful drug gangs. American authorities say it is one of the largest producers and traffickers of fentanyl to the U.S. But the gang has been weakened by the targeting of its leaders.

Cártel del Noreste

The Northeast Cartel is the organization formerly known as The Zetas. It operates in northeastern Mexico and is involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and human smuggling. The gang has lost leaders in recent years.

Nueva Familia Michoacána

Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga and his brother Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga lead The New Michoacán Family, a successor gang to La Familia Michoacána. Based in the states of Guerrero and Michoacán, the gang distributes fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, including to the U.S.

Cártel de Golfo

Jose Alfredo Cardenas-Martinez, also known as El Contador, the accountant, is the head of the Gulf Gang based in northeast Mexico, involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and human smuggling.

Cárteles Unidos

Juan José Farías Álvarez, also known as El Abuelo, the grandfather, is the head of United Cartels, an alliance of multiple cartels and other groups in Michoacán in west-central Mexico.

In a fluid battlefield of cartels controlling territory, trafficking routes, political influence, and global drug supply chains, the danger now is that these same gangs could fracture into warring factions, while the big rival cartels could try to exploit the situation to push for control in states that are disputed such as Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Guerrero, moving in on the territories he has left behind.

For the U.S., the question remains whether the fight to fill the void will spill over the border into the U.S. Hopefully, President Trump’s strict border policies and pressure on Mexico will prevent that from occurring.

For more information and reporting on this, see:

Mexico’s Cartel Map: The Major Drug Empires And Where They Rule (NDTV)

Mexico: El Mencho’s killing triggers nationwide escalation — Expert comment (ACLED)

Cartel activity in Mexico (ACLED)

Active Cartels in Mexico

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