10 information you don’t know about "El Mincho" Mexican drug lord

1. Top leader of the Jalisco Cartel

Osguera Cervantes, 59 years old, was the top leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, one of the most violent and widespread criminal organizations in Mexico.

2. An unprecedented American classification

At the beginning of last year, the US government classified the cartel as a terrorist organization, a classification that allows American agencies to investigate even without a direct threat to an American citizen, only because the person is linked to the organization.

3. A reward for his information

El Mencho topped the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s most wanted list, which offered a reward of $15 million for any information leading to his arrest.

4. He became a target "El Chapo"

After the arrest of the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Guzman (Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán) and extradited to the United States in 2017, “El Mencho” became the most prominent target of anti-narcotics agencies.

5. His upbringing and beginnings

Osguera was born in the “Tierra Caliente” region of the state of Michoacán, and is likely from the cities of Uruapan or Agilia.

In the 1980s he immigrated to the United States, where he was arrested several times in California on minor charges before he became involved in drug trafficking.

6. His beginning in Mexico

After returning to Mexico, he joined the local police in one of the towns of Jalisco, then worked within a protection network belonging to one of the leaders of the “Los Valencia” cartel.

After the disintegration of the alliances in 2010, he established the nucleus to become the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

7. Its influence expanded geographically

The cartel transformed from a local group in Jalisco and Colima into an organization whose influence extends to more than half of Mexican territory, with smuggling activities to the United States and Europe, and possible extensions to Asia.

8. Unconventional strategies

The organization relied on excessive violence to intimidate opponents, and used financial and chemical experts to develop the manufacture of synthetic drugs. It also expanded into agriculture, livestock raising, and construction to launder money.

9. Rumors about his health

Since 2022, rumors have circulated about the deterioration of El Mencho’s health, and even reports of his death, but they have not been confirmed by the authorities. It is likely that he has not been managing day-to-day operations himself in recent years.

10. The end of the chase and its impact

With his killing, Mexico faces a new phase in its long struggle with the cartels, amid fears of an escalating wave of violence in the organization’s areas of influence.

This comes as the government confirms its continued efforts to dismantle what remains of its criminal networks.