A minimarket in Puerto Madero: the link between Mencho Oseguera Cervantes and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel with Argentina
The article discusses how Gerardo González Valencia, brother-in-law of the drug lord Mencho, opened a minimarket in Puerto Madero, connecting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel to Argentina.
The article outlines the emergence of a minimarket named Corner mi lugar in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, which was opened in 2009 by Gerardo González Valencia, the brother-in-law of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "Mencho." At that time, González was the number two leader of Los Cuinis, the financial arm of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This strategic location and timing suggest a possible expansion of the CJNG's influence into Argentina, indicative of the cartel's increasing global reach.
The minimarket model was proposed to blend the features of convenience stores and kiosks, inspired by similar outlets seen in the United States. The investment for Corner mi lugar was approximately $2.5 million, highlighting the financial backing associated with organized crime. The presence of such a store in a prestigious area like Puerto Madero raises questions about the normalization and integration of cartel operations into local economies, as well as the implications for public safety and governance in Argentina.
Furthermore, González's eventual arrest in Uruguay and extradition to the U.S. where he was convicted underscores the legal challenges faced by those associated with such enterprises. As law enforcement agencies become increasingly vigilant against organized crime, this case may serve as a chilling reminder for potential investors and entrepreneurs in Argentina about the risks of entanglement with narco-trafficking networks.