The Journal. Mexico's New Cocaine Kingpin is Cashing In
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Oct 15, 2025 
José de Córdoba, a Wall Street Journal correspondent with deep insights into Mexican organized crime, delves into the rise of Nemesio 'Mencho' Oseguera, the new cocaine kingpin. They explore how Mencho's cartel capitalizes on increasing U.S. cocaine demand, while the Sinaloa cartel faces fragmentation. The discussion reveals Mencho's violent rise, strategic partnerships, and the dual supply of fentanyl and cocaine between cartels. Amidst chaos, Jalisco acts almost like a local government, making Mencho both a feared and celebrated figure. The conversation underscores the complexities of the drug war.
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Impenetrable Mountain Stronghold
- Visitors to El Mencho are hooded, stripped of electronics, and endure a six-hour climb into heavily fortified mountain compounds.
- He surrounds himself with multiple security rings, hundreds of gunmen, and minefields to prevent access.
From Deported Convict To Cartel Leader
- El Mencho emigrated to the U.S., pled guilty to selling heroin, served three years, and was deported back to Mexico where he became a cartel enforcer.
- He built a reputation as a ruthless killer and rose through cartel ranks to lead the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Sinaloa's Collapse Opened A Power Vacuum
- El Chapo's capture and trial fractured the Sinaloa cartel and shifted power to competing families and factions.
- That fragmentation created violent internal wars and opened opportunities for rivals like El Mencho to expand.