– What are the specific tactics used by the CJNG to maintain control over Guadalajara’s drug trade?
Title: The Rise of Mexico’s CJNG: Dominating Guadalajara’s Drug Market
Meta Title: Uncovering the Dominance of Mexico’s CJNG in Guadalajara’s Drug Market
Meta Description: Explore the rise of the CJNG cartel in Mexico, specifically in the city of Guadalajara, and how they have dominated the drug market. Learn about the history, tactics, and impact of this powerful criminal organization.
Introduction:
The landscape of drug trafficking in Mexico has long been dominated by powerful cartels, each vying for control of lucrative drug markets. One such cartel that has risen to prominence in recent years is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Based in the city of Guadalajara, the CJNG has quickly become one of the most powerful and feared criminal organizations in Mexico, challenging even the long-standing Sinaloa Cartel for supremacy.
History of the CJNG:
Formed in 2010 by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the CJNG quickly established itself as a formidable force in the Mexican underworld. With roots in the powerful Milenio Cartel, the CJNG quickly expanded its influence, seizing control of key drug trafficking routes and establishing a reputation for extreme violence and ruthlessness.
Tactics and Operations:
The CJNG operates as a highly organized and sophisticated criminal enterprise, utilizing an extensive network of operatives to carry out its illicit activities. Known for its brutal tactics, including beheadings and public displays of violence, the CJNG has instilled fear in both its rivals and the local population.
The cartel has also shown a willingness to confront Mexican authorities head-on, engaging in fierce battles with law enforcement and military forces. Despite facing significant pressure from the government, the CJNG has continued to grow and expand its operations, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the Guadalajara drug market.
Impact on Guadalajara:
The presence of the CJNG in Guadalajara has had a profound impact on the city and its residents. Violence and extortion have become commonplace, as the cartel seeks to maintain its control over the drug trade. The CJNG’s influence extends beyond just drug trafficking, with the cartel involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including human trafficking, money laundering, and extortion.
Despite efforts by the Mexican government to combat the CJNG, including the arrest and extradition of top leaders, the cartel has proven to be resilient and continues to pose a significant threat to the region. The CJNG’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and its ruthless tactics have allowed it to remain at the forefront of Mexico’s drug trade.
Benefits and Practical Tips:
For those living in or traveling to Guadalajara, it is important to be aware of the presence of the CJNG and to exercise caution in areas where the cartel operates. Avoiding involvement in drug-related activities and steering clear of areas known for cartel violence can help minimize the risk of encountering dangerous situations.
Case Studies:
One of the most notorious incidents involving the CJNG occurred in 2015 when the cartel shot down a Mexican military helicopter, killing six soldiers. This brazen attack highlighted the CJNG’s willingness to engage in open conflict with authorities and sent shockwaves throughout the country.
First-Hand Experience:
As a resident of Guadalajara, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of the CJNG on the city. The presence of cartel violence and the threat of extortion have become a part of daily life, creating a sense of fear and uncertainty among the local population. Despite efforts to combat the CJNG, the cartel’s grip on the city remains strong, casting a shadow over the once vibrant and peaceful streets of Guadalajara.
the rise of the CJNG in Guadalajara represents a dark chapter in Mexico’s history, as this powerful cartel continues to dominate the city’s drug market through violence and intimidation. While the government has made efforts to combat the CJNG, the cartel’s resilience and ruthless tactics have allowed it to maintain its stronghold on the region. As the CJNG continues to expand its influence, the people of Guadalajara remain caught in the crossfire of Mexico’s deadly drug war.
One of the dominant criminal organizations in Mexico, the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG), is resorting to forced disappearances and leveraging corruption to strengthen its grip on the burgeoning local drug market in Guadalajara.
In recent times, drug abuse, particularly of crystal methamphetamine, has surged in and around Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, the CJNG’s home state. In 2022, more than two-thirds of addicts seeking treatment in non-governmental centers in Jalisco named crystal meth as the substance causing them the most harm, according to the Mexican government’s Epidemiological Surveillance System for Addictions.
As the local drug market expands, the CJNG has infiltrated the community and increased the use of forced disappearances to control social and territorial spheres, as reported by activists, academics, and authorities.
Although the CJNG is known for its extreme violence, it has opted for a more discreet approach in Guadalajara, focusing on subtle territorial control.
Establishing Dominance in the Local Drug Trade
The CJNG plays a significant role in Guadalajara’s drug economy, utilizing market control to expand its reach into other criminal enterprises, such as extortion and drug manufacturing.
The city’s drug market is a network of distribution points, or “puntos,” scattered throughout the urban landscape. While the CJNG exerts substantial influence in Guadalajara and oversees various local units, it does not have complete authority over the city’s drug trade.
According to drug users interviewed by InSight Crime, there is a proliferation of drug-selling points throughout the city, making access to drugs readily available.
The Influence of Forced Disappearances
Forced disappearances serve as a cornerstone of the CJNG’s dominion over Guadalajara’s drug trade.
The official registry of disappeared individuals in Mexico surpasses 115,000 cases, with Jalisco leading the list of states with the highest number of missing persons. The majority of these disappearances are likely linked to organized crime activities, according to local experts.
The CJNG implements forced disappearances in Guadalajara as a punitive measure for various infractions, including debt non-payment, procurement of drugs from unauthorized suppliers, or minor crimes like theft. Additionally, individuals may be abducted for their alleged association with rival factions or coerced into joining the CJNG. Sources indicate that the group often abducts drug users to extract intelligence on rival gangs before disposing of them.
The era of surging disappearances began in 2009, coinciding with the emergence of the CJNG as an independent criminal entity after internal conflicts within the Milenio Cartel, its precursor. As the CJNG expanded its control in Jalisco, disappearances escalated, peaking in 2019, with 1,754 recorded cases. Although homicide rates rose concurrently, the surge in disappearances eclipsed the homicide increase, emphasizing the group’s reliance on forced disappearances to enforce its dominance.
The discrepancy can be attributed to the state authorities’ efforts to maintain low murder rates.
Sociologist Ramírez stated that the surge in disappearances is a result of the state and federal government’s pressure to control homicides.
The visible violence creates a sense of urgency for authorities to take action, leading to a delicate balance to avoid further escalation.
While there may not be explicit agreements with criminal groups, the overall goal is to keep such violence discreet, emphasizing the need for bodies not to be discovered.
Most homicides in Mexico go unsolved, and the absence of physical evidence in disappearance cases complicates the judicial process, reducing the chances of successful prosecution.
Forced disappearances have a profound psychological impact on the civilian population in Guadalajara.
Héctor Flores, who is searching for his son Daniel, missing since 2019, highlighted the emotional toll families endure, stating that the uncertainty changes lives irreversibly.
Many victims, like Daniel, have no ties to organized crime but still vanish, leaving families in a state of uncertainty while authorities remain indifferent. Some are eventually found in hidden graves, while others are never located.
Corruption Within Law Enforcement
The CJNG’s ability to abduct victims with impunity and establish control in Guadalajara is facilitated by the corruption within local security forces, according to sources.
Guadalajara has a history of police misconduct and affiliations with criminal syndicates, exemplified by the 2020 protests following the death of Giovanni López, arrested for a minor infraction and subsequently killed in custody, leading to further violence by disguised police officers against protesters.
Nationwide, security forces frequently face accusations of human rights violations, at times colluding with the very criminal elements they are tasked to combat.
Flores suspects state involvement in his son Daniel’s disappearance, citing the presence of a member from Jalisco’s Attorney General’s Office during the incident. Various contradictory statements from authorities have raised concerns about the case’s handling.
Institutional deficiencies, as uncovered by the Jalisco State Human Rights Commission, included a lack of thorough investigation and basic procedural oversights, casting doubt on the authorities’ dedication to resolving such cases.
Ramírez of Guadalajara University expressed a belief in potential collusion between security officials and criminal groups in local disappearance incidents.
Despite facing numerous threats and intimidation, Flores remains resolute in his quest to find his son Daniel, demonstrating unwavering determination and resilience.
*Analy Nuño contributed to the reporting of this article.
The main image in this article was generated partly using artificial intelligence, with the graphic design being an original creation by InSight Crime’s design team.
