About this episode

Katarina Szulc discusses the rise of El 03, a U.S.-born successor to El Mencho in the CJNG cartel, and the implications for cartel power dynamics.

Following the fall of El Mencho, CJNG’s transition of power has been far more seamless than many expected. In this episode, Katarina breaks down the rise of El 03, a U.S.-born successor with deep ties to the Valencia narco dynasty, and what his emergence reveals about cartel succession, family power networks, and the long-term effectiveness of the kingpin strategy. Borderland: Dispatches is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONCLAD for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Katarina Szulc

Topics covered

• cartel succession
• family power networks
• kingpin strategy
• CJNG
• El 03
• drug trafficking

Keywords

• CJNG
• El Mencho
• El 03
• cartel
• drug trafficking
• power networks
• kingpin strategy

Sponsors

GHOSTBED, Norwood Sawmills

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CJNG, Valencia narco dynasty

More episodes of Borderland: Dispatches with Katarina Szulc

• Inside The CIA's Secret Cartel War — And The Raid That Killed 2 Officers · April 24, 2026 · 21 min
• Mexico’s Narco Governors — The Power Behind the Cartels · April 16, 2026 · 28 min
• The New Cartel War Is Happening in U.S. Federal Court · April 2, 2026 · 34 min
• On the Ground in Jalisco, Mexico: Inside the Ongoing Threat of CJNG Violence · March 27, 2026 · 19 min
• Inside El Mencho’s Compound After the Raid: What the Scene Reveals · March 20, 2026 · 21 min
• Iran and Chinese Migrants Using VIP Cartel Smuggling Routes — Security Risks in the U.S. · March 12, 2026 · 25 min

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