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.
