El Mencho: Succession Battle Looms for Jalisco Cartel After Leader’s Death

The death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has created a power vacuum that could lead to internal conflict within the organization, security experts say. Mexican security forces killed El Mencho on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with support from U.S. Intelligence .

A Broken Line of Succession

According to Mexico City-based security consultant David Saucedo, the CJNG’s established line of succession has been disrupted. El Mencho’s son, Rubén Oseguera González (“El Menchito”), is currently incarcerated in the United States, leaving limited clear options for a familial successor. Only one brother and a stepson remain, but Saucedo notes the stepson “still lacks influence among other cartel commanders.”

Potential for Internal War

The lack of a clear heir could trigger an internal war, mirroring the conflict that arose within the Sinaloa Cartel after the 2024 capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Cartel leadership often follows a dynastic pattern, passing power through family lines. Without a strong Oseguera family member to take control, several top commanders are likely to vie for leadership.

Contenders for Leadership

Saucedo identifies several potential contenders: Ricardo Ruiz Velasco (“El Doble R”), Audias Flores (“El Jardinero” or “The Gardener”), a figure known as “El Sapo,” and El Mencho’s former head of security, about whom little is publicly known. A September 2025 report from the U.S. Directorate of National Intelligence identified “El Sapo” as Hugo Mendoza Gaytan, and also named Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez (“El Pelon,” El Mencho’s stepson) and Julio Alberto Castillo Rodriguez (“El Chorro,” El Mencho’s son-in-law) as key figures within the cartel leadership.

U.S. Support in Operation

The operation to locate and eliminate El Mencho was aided by a new U.S. Military-led group, the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, which provided intelligence support to Mexican forces. The U.S. Government had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest, although Mexico offered a reward of MXN$300 million.

Aftermath and Concerns

Following El Mencho’s death, widespread violence erupted across Mexico, with cartel members blocking roads at over 250 locations in 20 states and setting vehicles ablaze. Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital, was largely deserted as residents sheltered in place. Twenty-five Mexican National Guard troops were killed in Jalisco after the cartel leader’s capture.