The article reflects on nearly six decades of the war on drugs in Mexico, highlighting the persistent problem that despite the assassination or capture of drug lords, new and more violent cartels often emerge to fill the vacuum left behind. This has led to a grim cycle where the illicit drug trade continues to thrive unabated. The recent killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, underscores the ongoing violence and instability within this critical issue. After his death, the focus is on whether a successor will quickly take control, or if infighting among cartel members will ensue, further complicating the fight against drug trafficking.