Ex-Mexican Army and Special Forces Now Running CJNG Operations – Is This Why Cartels Are Unstoppable?

The killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, by Mexican forces on 22 February 2026 has spotlighted the deep ties between Mexico's cartels and ex-military personnel. As leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the former police officer built an organisation that heavily recruits ex-army and special forces to manage its operations.

This militarisation is a key reason why cartels like CJNG have seemed unstoppable, withstanding government efforts while expanding influence. The death triggered immediate violence, with blockades and fires across states.

The Rise of CJNG and Its Military Roots

The CJNG emerged around 2009 from the remnants of the Milenio Cartel after the killing of Sinaloa capo Ignacio Coronel. Under El Mencho's leadership, it quickly became one of Mexico's most powerful groups, controlling smuggling routes coast to coast in mere months. The former avocado farmer and police officer co-founded it with figures like Erik Valencia Salazar, building on existing trafficking networks.

Central to its rise is the militarised structure, featuring special operations groups and strict hitman training programs. Many operatives are former Mexican army and elite special forces members, providing tactical, weaponry, and intelligence expertise that sets the cartel apart from ordinary gangs. This approach mirrors that of the Zetas, a cartel founded by ex-special forces, parts of which CJNG has incorporated.

Recruitment often involves offering higher pay or using threats, enabling the group to construct armoured vehicles, deploy weaponised drones, and install land mines – tactics that have escalated violence in states such as Jalisco and Michoacán. CJNG has directly confronted the military, shooting down helicopters and ambushing patrols with professional precision.

Why Ex-Special Forces Make Cartels Formidable

In the US-backed operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, special forces engaged CJNG members, leading to El Mencho's death during transfer to Mexico City. The cartel, notorious for ultraviolence and military arsenal, has revenues estimated at £29.6 billion ($40 billion) annually from drugs like fentanyl and cocaine, powered by its ex-soldier ranks.

The integration of ex-military personnel turns cartels into formidable quasi-armies, rendering them highly resilient against crackdowns. These individuals impart advanced skills in urban warfare, surveillance, and counter-intelligence, allowing CJNG to preempt and thwart government actions.

'The training stays with you,' as a report on military defectors observes, underscoring how this expertise perpetuates the cycle of violence. CJNG's arsenal, including RPGs, .50-calibre machine guns, and improvised explosives, is handled with expert efficiency. This has facilitated expansion into extortion, fuel theft, and human smuggling, diversifying income streams beyond narcotics.

Cocaine trafficking alone yields £5.9 billion ($8 billion) yearly, financing further militarisation. The coordinated reprisals following El Mencho's death illustrate this capability, transforming routine law enforcement into battlefield scenarios.

The Aftermath of El Mencho's Demise

El Mencho's end came in a planned 22 February raid by army special forces and national guard, guided by US intelligence. The operation killed him and six CJNG members, a significant strike considering the £11.1 million ($15 million) US bounty.

Retaliatory actions ensued, with gunmen torching vehicles and setting barricades in Jalisco, Guanajuato, and other areas, disrupting daily life. As highlighted in an Instagram reel, CJNG members possess training and equipment comparable to official forces.

Security experts predict a power vacuum, with successors like family members competing, potentially intensifying wars with rivals.