Wed Feb 25 22:57:27 UTC 2026: ### CJNG’s ‘Franchise’ Model Fuels Widespread Unrest After Leader’s Death

The Story:
Following the February 22 death of Ruben Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), cartel members retaliated by setting fire to buses and taxis across 20 Mexican states. This widespread unrest highlights the CJNG’s unique “franchise” model, which allows smaller cells to operate under the cartel’s brand and financial network, enabling rapid coordination and extensive reach. The CJNG’s power is rooted in its paramilitary force, employing extortion, brutal violence, and forced disappearances to control territories and markets.

Key Points:

  • The CJNG operates in every state of Mexico and more than 40 countries, trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
  • The cartel avoids a centralized financial network, distributing profits across many locations and groups simultaneously.
  • The CJNG controls key areas in western Mexico, including strategic ports crucial for importing synthetic precursor chemicals.
  • The US Department of the Treasury sanctioned a CJNG-led timeshare fraud network targeting elderly Americans on February 19.
  • The CJNG’s power is facilitated by “hegemonic power networks” of business leaders, politicians, and criminals that have influenced state institutions.
  • Jalisco has at least 16,000 reported cases of forced disappearances since the group emerged in 2010.
  • The CJNG utilizes military-grade weaponry, including armed drones and anti-aircraft systems.
  • The CJNG adopted a level of brutality similar to Los Zetas, and was initially known as the “Matazetas”, or Zetas Killers.
  • In February of last year, US President Donald Trump designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.

Critical Analysis:
The historical context provided includes news about sports retirements and matches, which do not provide a significant context for the primary article.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CJNG’s franchise model provides it with remarkable resilience and reach, making it a formidable criminal organization.
  • The cartel’s financial activities extend beyond drug trafficking, including fraud schemes targeting vulnerable populations.
  • The CJNG’s influence is deeply embedded within Mexican society, with power networks extending into business, politics, and law enforcement.
  • Forced disappearances are a key tactic used by the CJNG to control territory and minimize legal repercussions.
  • Simply “decapitating the leadership” of the CJNG is unlikely to be effective without dismantling its power networks and operational structures.

Impact Analysis:

The death of “El Mencho” and the ensuing unrest have significant long-term implications for Mexico’s security landscape. The CJNG’s franchise model ensures that the organization can continue to operate even without its leader, potentially leading to further violence and instability as rival factions vie for control. The ongoing crisis of forced disappearances and the cartel’s deep entrenchment within state institutions suggest that resolving the CJNG problem will require a multifaceted approach that addresses corruption, strengthens law enforcement, and provides support for victims of cartel violence. The transnational nature of the CJNG’s operations also necessitates international cooperation to disrupt its financial networks and arms trafficking.

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