El Mancho: The Rise and Fall of Mexico’s Most Dangerous Drug Lord – Complete Analysis

The Rise of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)

Origins and Formation

The CJNG emerged from the remnants of the Millenio Cartel, capitalizing on power vacuums left by other criminal groups like the Sinaloa Cartel after Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán’s extradition and arrest. Osguera Cervantes, aka “El Mancho,” led the organization into a new era of violence, territorial expansion, and diversification of criminal activities.

Strategic Growth and Expansion

• Territorial Expansion: CJNG quickly expanded across Mexico, establishing dominance in at least 21 states.
• Drug Trafficking: The cartel trafficked cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and synthetic opioids into the United States, Europe, and Asia.
• Violence and Public Display: Known for extreme violence, CJNG used drones, homemade bombs, and assassinations to intimidate rivals and authorities.

Influence and Wealth

Estimated to have a net worth exceeding $20 billion, CJNG is one of the wealthiest cartels globally. It controls much of Mexico’s fentanyl and methamphetamine production and trafficking.

February 23, 2026 | 7:13 pm