Narcoterrorism specialist Mario Medrano Montoya discusses the implications of the death of El Mencho, a powerful narco leader, and the ensuing power struggles.
Mario Medrano Montoya, a noted expert on narcoterrorism, provided insights into the profound implications of the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, a.k.a. El Mencho, who was killed by the Mexican Army on February 22. Medrano indicated that El Mencho was not only a notorious figure in the world of crime but also became an icon over decades; his influence extends beyond traditional drug trafficking into various criminal activities like contract killings and human trafficking.
Montoya emphasized that unlike Pablo Escobar, who was a significant narcotics figure in Colombia, El Mencho's operations had a far greater transnational element, making the fallout from his death potentially more dangerous. He pointed out that El Mencho's death does not signify the end of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, as power struggles are anticipated among mid-level leaders vying for control, which could lead to increased violence and instability.
Furthermore, Montoya noted that in the wake of this leadership vacuum, other criminal organizations might seek to capitalize on the chaos, leading to broader implications for regional security. He also controversially suggested that political figures such as Donald Trump could be viewed as beneficiaries of this situation, indicating how the complexities of narcotics and geopolitics intertwine.
