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Insights into the Operations of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A renewed investigation into a ranch located in western Mexico has shed light on the operations of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a powerful drug trafficking organization that has rapidly risen in prominence and violence.

The CJNG, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), boasts approximately 19,000 members, having emerged as a formidable force following its separation from the Sinaloa cartel after the death of its leader Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel Villarreal in 2010. This shift catalyzed a trajectory of aggressive expansion and bloodshed.

At the helm of the cartel is Nemesio Rubén “el Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, who is currently the target of a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. His notoriety increased recently after a visual display featuring his image occurred during a music event in Jalisco, drawing criticism from government officials.

The ongoing conflict between the CJNG and the Sinaloa cartel over territorial control spans several regions, including the crucial southern border with Guatemala. Both organizations, along with four others, have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. government recently.

Recruitment Tactics of the Jalisco Cartel

One of the latest developments in combating the Jalisco cartel’s operations was the arrest of José Gregorio Lastra, who allegedly oversaw recruitment efforts for the organization. The cartel employs a multifaceted recruitment strategy that includes:

• Voluntary recruits attracted by lucrative salaries and a glamorized lifestyle.
• Targeted enlistment of former military and police personnel who can provide tactical training.
• Coerced recruitment practices, highlighted by reports from a recent investigation at a ranch associated with the cartel.

For the coercive component, authorities report that the cartel utilizes social media platforms—identified to include at least 60 pages—to advertise enticing job openings, often promising salaries significantly higher than the average for security positions. Once individuals express interest, they reportedly face threats and intimidation until they comply with cartel demands.

A survivor of the cartel’s recruitment process revealed harrowing experiences where recruits were picked up under false pretenses, taken to the ranch, and subjected to intense weaponry and tactical training. Mexico’s Public Security Secretary, Omar García Harfuch, outlined further that those attempting to escape or defy orders faced brutal repercussions, including violence and death.

Cartel Structure and Territory Control

According to security analyst David Saucedo, the organizational structure of the CJNG is hierarchical, with Oseguera firmly positioned at the top. The recent display of his image at a public event has spurred condemnation from government officials, highlighting ongoing tensions between law enforcement and cartel influence.

The DEA reports that the cartel now operates in 21 of Mexico’s 32 states, surpassing the Sinaloa cartel’s presence. Some estimates suggest Jalisco may extend into as many as 25 states, establishing itself even internationally across approximately 100 nations.

Rapid Expansion and Strategic Alliances

In under two decades, the Jalisco cartel has emerged as one of the preeminent criminal organizations, capitalizing on the decline of the Sinaloa cartel amidst internal strife following various major arrests. Researchers like Carlos Flores note that the Jalisco cartel’s aggressive tactics and its involvement in the lucrative fentanyl trade have fueled its rapid ascent.

Additionally, the cartel has effectively partnered with other criminal entities, allowing it to establish a foothold in various territories using a quasi-franchise approach, particularly evident in central Aguascalientes and the critical border city of Tijuana.

Complicity and Corruption

The investigation surrounding the ranch operation exemplifies the Jalisco cartel’s ability to function unencumbered due to alleged collusion with local authorities. Despite law enforcement’s discovery of the ranch and subsequent arrests, progression on the case encountered delays until families impacted by the disappearances pressed for justice.

Despite initial arrests, a deeper inquiry revealed connections between local law enforcement and the cartel, showcasing systemic corruption that protects the cartel’s interests.

“Evidence suggests that arrangements with local power structures have wrought significant influence, enabling the Jalisco cartel to eliminate rivals and entrench itself firmly in specific regions, aided sometimes by those meant to uphold the law,” Flores concluded.

Source
www.yahoo.com