Following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, a leading contender has emerged to take control of the $20 billion Jalisco Cartel.
Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez, 41, the adopted son of the slain cartel leader, is seen as the primary candidate to assume control, according to New York Post.
Authorities note that his mother, Rosalinda “La Jefa” González Valencia, was El Mencho’s wife and a key figure in the cartel’s finances. Some analysts suggest she could take the top role, but most experts agree she will support her son Juan Carlos in leading the cartel.
Juan Carlos, also known as El Pelon, Tricky Tres, and O3, holds dual American and Mexican citizenship, having been born in Santa Ana, Orange County, in 1984. Many details about his early life remain unknown, though he grew up while his parents, Rosalinda and Armando Valencia Cornelio, were involved with the cartel in the U.S.
His alleged drug ties were made public by the DEA in 2020, identifying him as responsible for producing and distributing tons of narcotics, as well as committing violent crimes since 2007.
The U.S. has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram announced the bounty in 2021, revealing that the investigation into Juan Carlos was dubbed “Operation Pinky and The Brain”.
