El Mencho's Stepson Emerges as Leading Heir After His Killing But He 'Still Lacks Influence,' Expert Says

Juan Carlos Valencia González, the California-born stepson of slain Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho", has emerged as a leading contender to take control of the organization following his stepfather's killing.

Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," died after being captured in Tapalpa, Jalisco, triggering violence across parts of Mexico. With his son Rubén Oseguera González serving a life sentence in the United States and other close relatives in custody, attention has shifted to potential successors within the cartel's leadership structure.

Valencia González, 41, was born in Santa Ana, California, and is a dual U.S.-Mexican citizen, according to federal records. He is the son of Rosalinda González Valencia, known as "La Jefa," who was married to El Mencho and has been described by law enforcement as a key financial figure within the cartel.

The U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Valencia González's arrest or conviction back in 2021. A federal indictment returned in 2020 in Washington, D.C., charged him with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for unlawful importation into the United States and with using a firearm during a narcotics transaction. A DEA investigation alleged he was responsible for manufacturing, transporting and distributing "tons" of narcotics and organizing violent crimes.

Security analyst David Saucedo told The New York Post that Valencia González "still lacks influence among other cartel commanders" to consolidate leadership. Unconfirmed reports on social media have suggested he was already named successor, though those claims have not been corroborated.

Experts noted that CJNG operates with a decentralized structure, which could complicate any transition. John Kirby, a former federal prosecutor in Southern California, told NBC News on Wednesday that it remains unclear who will lead the cartel. "You have the stepson. You have a lot of other people who are vying for control," he said. "This is a very powerful cartel."

Another figure mentioned in recent reporting is Audias Flores Silva, known as "El Jardinero," who has been sanctioned by the U.S. government and accused of controlling clandestine drug laboratories. The State Department has also offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a professor at George Mason University, told NBC News that the cartel is likely to adapt. "This criminal network will adapt to a new reality, will adopt new leadership in plural, and it will reconfigure itself," she said.