In a significant update this June, the US National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) identified Juan Carlos Valencia González, known as “El 03,” as the new head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) following the death of his stepfather, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” in February 2026.

The NCTC’s profile, part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, highlights Valencia González as the “supreme leader” of the CJNG and notes that he was born in Santa Ana, California, marking him as a “US Person.” This detail underscores the transnational nature of the cartel’s leadership and operations.

According to the report, the CJNG maintains a hierarchical command structure where regional leaders manage daily operations under Valencia González’s direction. The cartel also uses a franchise model, partnering with local criminal groups to expand beyond its strongholds in Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima.

The US Department of State currently offers a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Juan Carlos Valencia González, reflecting the high priority placed on dismantling this criminal network.

The CJNG is described as one of the most powerful criminal organizations operating in Mexico, responsible for trafficking fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States and across continents including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Beyond drug trafficking, the cartel generates revenue through extortion, fuel theft, kidnapping, illegal logging and mining, human smuggling, and real estate fraud.

This update arrives amid ongoing efforts to understand and counter the evolving dynamics of organized crime in Mexico, emphasizing the complex challenges faced by authorities on both sides of the border. For communities affected by violence and insecurity, these developments highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that combine law enforcement with social and economic policies.