Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime 124d ago

El Mencho, leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), was killed after a Mexican Army operation - so what happens now? Experts Cecilia and Romain break down the raid and the cartel’s violent response, CJNG’s branding and franchise model, the cartel’s use of blockade tactics (burning buses/trucks), and why the “kingpin strategy” often leads to more violence but not a long term reduction in levels of drug trafficking. They analyse the geopolitics behind the raid, as the administrations of President Sheinbaum and President Trump look for ways to manage US-Mexico cooperation, and ask the questions about the critical role of firearms trafficking in fuelling cartel firepower. Will we see a turbulent succession fight to replace El Mencho? Will we see localized spikes in violence across Mexico (and potentially Guatemala and Honduras) like we did after the capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada? And we ask questions about impunity, justice, and how to actually reduce cartel power beyond high-value targets. 00:47 - The Mexican Army operation to catch El Mencho 02:04 - Who was El Mencho and why was he targeted? 02:58 - Who are the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)? 05:02 - Why did Mexican state forces target El Mencho now? 05:42 - How did the CJNG respond to the death of El Mencho? 07:25 - What difference will removing El Mencho have on the CJNG? 08:23 - Who will take over as leader of the CJNG? 09:47 - How big is the CJNG? 11:24 - What does this operation tell us about cooperation between the Mexican and US governments? 13:21 - What could happen next? What you’ll learn: - How the operation unfolded and why blockades are so effective - El Mencho’s 40-year trajectory and CJNG’s rise - The cartel’s branding, propaganda, and elite commando units - Why kingpin removals disrupt but don’t dismantle cartels - The franchise model: “Four Letters” reach across Mexico and Central America - Policy implications: firearms trafficking, impunity, and community impact - Succession risks and timelines for possible violence spikes If you value deep, nuanced analysis on Mexico’s security landscape, US-Mexico cooperation, and organized crime dynamics, this is essential viewing.