The Rise of El Mencho: Mexico's Most Dangerous Cartel Leader

The Rise of El Mencho: Mexico's Most Dangerous Cartel Leader

From History of Everything by Stakuyi

March 14, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

This episode explores the rise of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, and his leadership of the CJNG.

Today we uncover the story of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as "El Mencho," the head of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). From his humble beginnings as a humble avocado farmer and police officer in the Mexican state of Jalisco to his current status as Mexico's most wanted and arguably most powerful narco, El Mencho's rise is a masterclass in violence, strategy, and ambition. We trace his path through the Milenio Cartel, his alliance with the Sinaloa Cartel, and the brutal betrayal that led him to form the CJNG. Discover the ruthless tactics that propelled his organization to the top, including public displays of extreme violence, sophisticated military-grade weaponry, and a relentless campaign to eliminate rivals and authorities alike. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fight me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠war of the barons⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Travel to Croatia with me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Travel to Greece with me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Travel to Thailand with me ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our sister podcast the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mystery of Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Coffee Collab With The Lore Lodge…

People in this episode

Host: Stakuyi

Topics covered

  • drug cartels
  • organized crime
  • Mexico
  • violence
  • history

Keywords

  • El Mencho
  • CJNG
  • drug trafficking
  • Mexico
  • organized crime
  • violence
  • Sinaloa Cartel

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Milenio Cartel, Sinaloa Cartel

Places: Mexico, Jalisco

More episodes of History of Everything

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the History of Everything podcast page.