Jalisco Cartel declares war on rivals in Mexico City

A video circulating on social media shows alleged members of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) declaring war on rival criminal groups Unión Tepito and Cartel de Tláhuac in Mexico City. The footage features several hooded individuals armed and wearing vests with CJNG insignia.

One individual, reading a statement attributed to the cartel, directly addressed the population of Mexico City and the State of Mexico. "We are coming for all the extortionists and 'cobrapisos' (those who extort protection money) from Unión Tepito and Cartel de Tláhuac. Those fakes who claim to be from the company. Your gold mine is over," the speaker declared. The statement further asserted that the CJNG's objective is to target "all those who are extorting in our name" and to "restore order, not to cause discomfort."

The CJNG, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., is one of Mexico's most formidable drug cartels. This declaration of war comes after a period of significant federal operations against the cartel, including an operation in February that reportedly resulted in the death of its leader, "El Mencho," and led to violent clashes resulting in casualties among military and criminal personnel.

Mexican authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding the video and the cartel's threat to initiate a war in the capital. The CJNG has a history of using videos to disseminate intimidating messages, including threats against rival groups and journalists, such as the case of reporter Azucena Uresti in 2021. Unión Tepito is known as a major extortion and drug trafficking organization in Mexico City, reportedly emerging from splits within other cartels. Cartel de Tláhuac operates in the eastern part of the capital and the adjacent State of Mexico.