Introduction
The CJNG, which stands for Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion or the New Generation of the Jalisco Cartel is considered by US and Mexican officials as one of the most powerful and dangerous cartels in the world. CJNG have quickly expanded their operations in the last 5 years since they first proclaimed their existence via YouTube claiming to be the Mata-Zetas (Killer of Zetas) and protectors of kidnappers and murders in the state of Jalisco.
The rise of CJNG in part can be credited to the group taking advantage of the decline of Los Zetas and Knights Templar cartel as a result of President Pena Nieto’s campaign. Currently CJNG controls the production and distribution of narcotics in Jalisco, Nayarit, Colima, Veracruz and Michoacán.
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Also CJNG is involved in extortion, fuel smuggling, theft and murder. One of the main factors that have contributed to the growth of the CJNG is their location. Jalisco´s proximity to the port of Lázaro Cárdenas; which is a major port for the export/import of drugs coming from Colombia and precursors coming from China. Also western Jalisco, Colima and Nayarit are known for its poppy and marijuana-production areas. The CJNG unique proximity to the primary drug cultivation areas keeps the cost of transportation low, ensuring CJNG importance as an international DTO.
Organizational Structure
The alleged leader of the CJNG is Nemesio Oseguera aka “El Mencho” who was born in 1964 in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. El Mencho has been involved in drug trafficking dating back to the early 1990s and in 1994 was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in California. El Mencho served three years of prison and following his release he returned to Mexico were he later formed the CJNG.
The second in command is Ivan Cazarin Molina, also known as Victor Hugo Delgado Renteria, aka “The Tornado Commander”. It is believed that Ivan Molina territories included central and western Jalisco and the eastern part of Veracruz.
Other noticeable mentions are:
1. Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez, also known as, "El Menchito,". (Son of El Mencho)
2. Abigael Gonzalez Valencia leader of Los Cuinis DTO, brother in law of El Mencho, principal financial operator
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The main objective of Operation Jalisco is to capture members of the CJNG and hold them accountable to the law.
Shortly after the launch of Operation Jalisco -- an initiative aimed specifically at dismantling the CJNG -- security forces killed 42 alleged CJNG members on a ranch, one of the deadliest drug war confrontations in recent memory.
CJNG then retaliated by killing multiple Mexican federal law enforcement agents and even shooting down a military helicopter in southern Jalisco that left five soldiers dead. It was reported that CJNG used a rocket propelled grenade launcher (RPG) to bring down the helicopter demonstrating to the Mexican government their ability and ruthlessness to take on all opposition.
Many Mexican officials have considered Operation Jalisco a success do to the fact that key CJNG operatives have been arrested since May, including El Mencho’s son Ruben Oseguera González, who was arrested in June, and the cartel 's alleged second-in-command, Ivan Cazarin Molina, who was arrested on November 18