The Jalisco New Generation Cartel ( CJNG ) started operating in the center of the country three years ago, through small groups and alliances with local cartels . This way, the CJNG was able to operate in Morelos, State of Mexico, Mexico City, Puebla, Hidalgo, and Querétaro.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “ El Mencho ,” created the infamous cartel in 2010. Five years later, the cartel started operating outside Jalisco in a bid to expand throughout the country, and control drug trafficking, kidnappings, and extortion, among other crimes.
According to federal reports, the CJNG recruits young men from different states and then sends them to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. There, former Colombian soldiers and ex- FARC members train them to murder and take over areas controlled by rival cartels.
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The CJNG’s expansion in the center of the country facilitated its arrival in Mexico City . The violent cartel sent its trained gunmen to the capital in small groups, where they coordinate many important operations for the cartel.
In his attempt to control Mexico City, “El Mencho” deployed between five and six criminal groups to the city in the last 12 months. These groups allied with “Fuerza Anti-Unión Tepito” to control boroughs like Gustavo A. Madero, Cuauhtémoc, Tlalpan, Xochimilco, Milpa Alta, Tláhuac, Benito Juárez, Miguel Hidalgo, and Cuajimalpa.
A federal official said the CJNG does not have a rival in Mexico City, “it is not like in other states where the Jalisco Cartel has to fight, authorities have prevented it from entering the city.”
According to Mexico City police chief Omar García Harfuch, the criminal organizations operating in the city are now small groups and no longer have the same power and force they had in previous years.
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After suffering an assassination attempt in June, Harfuch told business leaders and NGOs that what is left of “La Unión Tepito” and “Fuerza Anti-Unión” use these names to operate, but explained they are not large criminal structures.
“La Unión Tepito was strong two years go, now there are small groups. The same happened with La Anti-Unión,” García Harfuch said. He added that security forces have arrested 52 cartels leaders.
When Harfuch was questioned over the expansions of cartels in the capital and the presence of the CJNG, he said the cartel has not deployed a large organization to the city. The police chief added local authorities arrest criminals working for these organizations every week.
In the State of Mexico, the CJNG strengthened its operations in Nezahualcóyotl, Ecatepec, Naucalpan, Tlalnepantla, Tultitlán, Valle de Chalco, Tecámac, Texcoco, and Zumpango in the last two years.
Authorities identified Omar Ramsés, aka “El Calaca,” as the leader of the Jalisco Cartel in the State of Mexico, where it is engaged in a turf war with “La Familia Michoacana,” led by Johnny Olascoaga Hurtado, aka “El Pez.”
In June, Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval confirmed four criminal organizations operate in the State of Mexico: CJNG, La Familia Michoacana, Los Caballeros Templarios, and Guerreros Unidos.
After the downfall fo the Beltrán Leyva Cartel and its branches, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel took the opportunity to enter Morelos, where it is currently fighting Los Rojos, La Familia Michoacana, Los Tlahuicas, and Los Mayas.
According to Morelos’ Security Commission, the CJNG works along “Los Colombianos” and operates in Cuernavaca, Jiutepec, Temixco, Emiliano Zapata, Xochitepec, Miacatlán, Tetecala, Mazatepec, Puente de Ixtla, and Amacuzac. The two criminal organizations are involved in homicides, kidnappings, extortion, and drug sales.
According to federal authorities, the CJNG is fighting “Los Zetas Vieja Escuela” to control fuel theft in Hidalgo, as well as drug sale in Pachuca, Tula, and Tepeji.
Through the Agave Azul operation, launched by Financial Intelligence Unit, authorities blocked 17 bank accounts linked to the CJNG in Hidalgo.
The Puebla government also reported the recent operation of the CJNG in the state. Authorities said the cartel currently operates Palmar de Bravo, Cañada Morelos, Puebla, San Andrés Cholula, and San Martín Texmelucan. Governor Miguel Barbosa said, “Puebla City represents one of the main goals for the CJNG.”
In June 2019, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel announced its arrival in Querétaro. It currently operates in Corregidora, Pedro Escobedo, El Marqués, San Juan del Río, and Querétaro.