El Mencho Killed in Military Raid, U.S. Supported Operation Mexican forces eliminated CJNG founder Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2026, after he was seriously wounded and died during an air transfer to Mexico City [2]. The White House later confirmed that U.S. intelligence aided the raid [3]. The United States had already listed CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in Feb. 2025 [1].

CJNG Faces Leadership Vacuum as Family Leaders Imprisoned With El Mencho’s son serving a U.S. sentence, his wife incarcerated in Mexico, and two brothers behind bars, the cartel’s traditional line of succession is broken [1]. Security expert David Saucedo warns that four remaining commanders are likely to vie for control, creating an internal power struggle [1]. Analysts fear the vacuum could fragment the organization or spark a violent bid for dominance.

Territorial Clashes Erupt with Sinaloa, Roadblocks Across States Already, CJNG and Sinaloa factions have erected roadblocks in Mexicali and are contesting migrant‑smuggling corridors in Chiapas, expanding violence to more than 20 Mexican states [1]. The confrontations include blockades, arson of grocery stores, and other “total‑war” tactics reminiscent of the 2020 attack on Secretary Omar García Harfuch [1]. These moves indicate a rapid escalation of turf wars following the leader’s death.

U.S. Maps CJNG Nationwide Reach and Issues Travel Alerts 2020 DEA assessment identified CJNG influence from New York to Los Angeles and across almost every state, confirming a pervasive U.S. footprint [2]. The Justice Department describes the group as a transnational criminal organization controlling large narcotics flows, money‑laundering, bribery, and migrant extortion [2]. After the raid, U.S. consular officials issued shelter‑in‑place warnings for citizens in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzmán, Tijuana, Chiapas and Michoacán [2].

Treasury Sanctions Timeshare Scheme, Highlights Crypto‑Linked Fraud The Treasury Department sanctioned the Puerto Vallarta resort Kovay Gardens for operating a cartel‑run timeshare fraud that siphoned $330 million from U.S. retirees [3]. Over 850 suspicious activity reports show average losses of $383,000, with victims ranging from modest seniors to high‑net‑worth “whales” [3]. Chainalysis linked CJNG to bitcoin and stablecoin purchases used to pay manufacturers of fentanyl precursors, underscoring the group’s diversification into digital finance [3].