US identifies Juan Carlos Valencia as new CJNG leader after 'El Mencho's' death

The United States government has identified Juan Carlos Valencia González, also known as "03" or "El Pelón," as the new leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho."

Valencia González, who holds dual Mexican-U.S. citizenship, hails from a prominent criminal family in Michoacán. He is the son of Armando Valencia Cornelio, the historical founder of the Cártel del Milenio, a cartel from which the CJNG later emerged. His mother is Rosalinda González Valencia, known as "La Jefa," whose brothers were also involved with the Cártel del Milenio. Valencia González's uncle, Abigael González Valencia, led the criminal organization Los Cuinis and was a key financial operator for the group.

Valencia González's criminal ties were further solidified through his relationship with "El Mencho." After his mother separated from "El Maradona," she became romantically involved with "El Mencho," who was then working for "El Maradona." This connection made "El Mencho" the stepfather of Valencia González, and later, the leader of the CJNG until his death. Valencia González also had a close relationship with Rubén Oseguera, "El Menchito," "El Mencho's" son, who is now serving a life sentence in the U.S.

Valencia González's mother, Rosalinda González Valencia, played a crucial role in the financial network of both Los Cuinis and the CJNG. She was arrested in 2018 on charges of money laundering and organized crime. In 2023, she was sentenced to five years in prison but was granted conditional release in January 2025.

Valencia González himself has a history with law enforcement. His father, Armando Valencia Cornelio, was arrested in Guadalajara in 2003 and extradited to the U.S., where he received a nearly 20-year sentence. He was released in 2020 due to suffering from lymphatic cancer. The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of $5 million for information leading to Valencia González's capture.