Mexico: Death of "El Mencho" – Risk of Cartel War

The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known as "El Mencho," has reportedly been killed in a military operation with the help of U.S. intelligence. Mexican authorities fear his death will trigger a war between the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels for control of drug trafficking and illegal migrant routes.

Following "El Mencho's" death, the Mexican government deployed 10,000 soldiers to the state of Jalisco in an effort to suppress the violent incidents. The Jalisco cartel is considered one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world.

The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, his real name, may lead to a new leadership battle within the Jalisco cartel, as there is no clear successor. A potential succession could lead to narco-terrorism, similar to that suffered by Colombia in the 1980s.

However, some analysts believe that the death of "El Mencho" may be an opportunity for the Mexican government to destabilize the cartels and carry out targeted operations.

Thousands of American tourists have been stranded in Mexico, while U.S. government personnel have been instructed to remain sheltered.