Why El Mencho’s death won't end Mexico’s cartel crisis

The killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), marks a significant tactical success for Mexican forces supported by US intelligence. However, the operation triggered violent retaliation across multiple states, underscoring the entrenched power of cartels within Mexico’s society, economy and political structures. CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel continue to generate billions from drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl exports to the United States, while expanding into extortion and other illicit activities. Despite eliminating a major kingpin, the structural embedding of organised crime suggests Mexico’s cartel crisis is far from resolved without deep institutional reforms.