The Tragic Fate of El Mencho’s Highest-Ranking Hitmen After His Death

The collapse of El Mencho’s criminal empire was a dramatic and violent turning point in the world of drug cartels, but it wasn’t just his death that left a mark. The aftermath of his passing revealed the dark reality of his cartel’s inner workings, and it’s the fate of his hitmen, the most feared enforcers in the Western Hemisphere, that takes this story down a path no one could have predicted.

El Mencho, whose real name was Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, had been a ghost for nearly two decades. As the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), he was a shadowy figure who ruled with an iron fist, controlling vast swaths of Mexico and spanning operations into 40 countries worldwide. His cartel, one of the most powerful and dangerous organizations on the planet, was fueled by drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. It employed up to 20,000 soldiers, and its reach extended across all 50 U.S. states. Yet, for all his power, El Mencho managed to evade capture, slipping through the fingers of authorities with the skill of a seasoned tactician.

But on February 22, 2026, the ghost was finally cornered. In a carefully planned raid by Mexican special forces on a mountain hideout in Tapalpa, Jalisco, El Mencho was killed. His death marked the end of an era, but it sparked an even more violent chain of events. The question that remained was not just about who would take his place but about the fate of the ruthless men who enforced his will—the hitmen, lieutenants, and military-trained Sicarios who carried out the most brutal and lethal work within the cartel.

The Death of the Ghost King

El Mencho’s life and death were a paradox. He had built a cartel in total darkness—no flashy appearances, no public displays of wealth. His empire operated like a well-oiled machine, with everything from money laundering and human smuggling to military-grade drones and explosive weaponry. El Mencho controlled everything with such secrecy that even satellites and drones failed to find him for years. The U.S. had placed a $15 million bounty on his head, but despite years of tracking and several failed attempts to capture him, El Mencho always seemed to slip away. He had faked his death multiple times, confusing authorities and stalling his eventual downfall.

Yet, in February 2026, Mexican authorities, aided by U.S. intelligence, finally tracked El Mencho to a secluded cabin. The plan to capture him was meticulously executed, using a well-known strategy: tracking someone close to him. El Mencho’s romantic partner had visited him, and the authorities followed her, leading them to his compound. The raid was swift, but it wasn’t without conflict. Bodyguards opened fire, and a fierce gunfight ensued. The violence was so intense that it caused a military helicopter to make an emergency landing. El Mencho, though wounded, tried to escape on foot. He was eventually captured, but not before being seriously injured. He died en route to Mexico City while being airlifted for medical treatment.

His death sent shockwaves through the criminal world, but what followed was far from a peaceful transition. The cartel didn’t fall apart—it retaliated.

Retaliation: A Cartel Goes to War

Within hours of El Mencho’s death, CJNG Sicarios launched a wave of violence that left the entire country in chaos. Over 250 roadblocks were set up across Mexico, with vehicles torched, stores looted, and gas stations set on fire. The violence wasn’t random; it was a calculated move to remind the government and rival cartels that even without its king, CJNG was still a force to be reckoned with. In Guadalajara, the airport was shut down, and Puerto Vallarta went into lockdown. The death toll from this wave of violence climbed rapidly, with 70 people dead, including 25 National Guard members and over 30 cartel operatives.

The CJNG was sending a message: We are still here, and we can shut down this country whenever we want.

The Hitmen: The Cartel’s Deadliest Enforcers

El Mencho’s hitmen were the backbone of his empire—highly trained operatives who controlled the cartel’s most violent and lucrative operations. These were not just street-level thugs; they were military-trained enforcers who ran paramilitary units equipped with advanced weaponry, armored vehicles, and drones. These men were responsible for carrying out the most ruthless missions in cartel history—assassinations, territorial wars, and executions. They were the eyes and ears of El Mencho’s criminal machine, and with him gone, their futures were uncertain.

Some, like Gonzalo Mendoza Gaitán (El Sapo), were expected to step up as potential successors. El Sapo had managed large-scale operations involving fentanyl production and meth trafficking, as well as overseeing extortion networks and fuel theft operations. He was a complete operator, trusted by El Mencho. But the raid that killed El Mencho may have also claimed El Sapo’s life. As of March 2026, no official confirmation of his death has been made, but local media reports suggest he may have been among those killed during the attack on the compound.

Others, like Heraclio Guerrero Martínez (Elio), have managed to survive. Elio, a regional commander with control over fuel theft operations, is believed to be positioning himself for power. With his control over lucrative fuel theft rackets and trained Sicarios, Elio’s future as a possible leader of the cartel is being closely watched.

But perhaps the most crucial figure is Juan Carlos Valencia González (El L03), El Mencho’s stepson and one of the cartel’s key figures. El L03 has control over the critical U.S.-bound drug routes and commands several Sicario cells in vital border areas. He has the loyalty of many within the cartel, but his high-profile status and $5 million bounty make him an obvious target for authorities. He’s been operating in the shadows, and analysts predict he could emerge as the next leader of the CJNG if he can navigate the intense pressure from rival factions and law enforcement.

The Future of the CJNG

The fate of the CJNG now hangs in the balance. With El Mencho gone, his most trusted hitmen either dead, imprisoned, or jockeying for control, the cartel is entering a dangerous period of instability. The death of its leader has left a power vacuum that could either result in a smooth transition or spiral into full-scale infighting. The cartel’s territorial control is already being tested by Sinaloa, which sees CJNG’s instability as an opportunity to seize key areas. Analysts predict that if Sinaloa pushes into CJNG’s territories while the cartel is fighting itself, it could lead to a two-front war that engulfs Mexico in chaos.

In the wake of El Mencho’s death, CJNG has proven that it’s not just a cartel—it’s a military force. But whether it will survive without its iron-fisted leader remains uncertain. The next few months will determine if the cartel splinters into factions or consolidates its power under a new leader. As violence continues to simmer beneath the surface, one thing is clear: the empire El Mencho built is far from finished, and the question of who will sit on the throne next is already being answered with bloodshed.

For now, El Mencho’s hitmen, the feared enforcers who once carried out his will, continue to hold the reins of a sprawling criminal empire. But as the country burns and rival factions vie for control, it’s clear that CJNG’s future will be written in the same violent language it always has—one battle at a time.