The death of Ruben “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has ignited a period of uncertainty. Questions linger about how the cartel will react and whether this blow will truly stem the tide of fentanyl reaching the United States. The implications are far-reaching, extending beyond the immediate aftermath of the operation.
Carlos De La Cruz, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force with deployments following 9/11 and along the southern border, acknowledges the significance of eliminating El Mencho. He emphasizes, however, that this victory shouldn’t be misinterpreted as the end of the struggle. This is a complex situation with deep roots.
El Mencho built CJNG into one of the most ruthless cartels in the world, capitalizing on the power vacuum left after the fall of El Chapo. Under his command, the cartel aggressively expanded its reach across Mexico and into crucial drug trafficking routes supplying the U.S. market. A $15 million reward was offered for information leading to his capture, highlighting his importance.
Removing a cartel leader doesn’t equate to dismantling the organization, De La Cruz warns. Cartels are resilient, and the removal of a key figure often leads to fragmentation. This fracturing typically manifests as a surge in short-term violence as rival factions battle for control of territory and resources.
Immediately following Oseguera’s death, the U.S. State Department issued travel alerts for several Mexican states. These alerts cited road blockages and increased criminal activity linked to security operations, underscoring the instability that followed. The situation on the ground is volatile and unpredictable.
Drawing on his military experience analyzing enemy structures, De La Cruz frames the fight against the cartels as a long-term campaign demanding consistent pressure. A single operation, no matter how successful, is insufficient. The focus must shift to systematically dismantling the networks and disrupting their financial flows.
The CJNG’s designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization provides U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies with enhanced tools to target the cartel’s infrastructure and financial networks. This designation is a critical step in escalating the response, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
De La Cruz argues that the fentanyl crisis must be treated as a domestic security emergency, not simply a foreign issue. He asserts that fentanyl is a chemical weapon being deliberately deployed against the American population, a stark and sobering assessment of the situation.
Having worked alongside Customs agents at the border, De La Cruz understands the adaptability of cartel networks. Gains can be fleeting without sustained, comprehensive follow-through. These organizations are masters of adaptation, constantly evolving to circumvent law enforcement efforts.
The fight extends beyond the border, requiring a relentless pursuit of money launderers operating within the United States. Disrupting the financial pipelines is crucial to crippling the cartels’ ability to operate. This is a full-spectrum battle requiring vigilance on both sides of the border.
While El Mencho’s death eliminates a dominant figure in Mexico’s criminal landscape, De La Cruz views this as a deeply personal mission. He reaffirms his commitment to defending the country, driven by the oath he took as a member of the armed forces. The stakes are profoundly high.
