An aerial photograph shows plumes of smoke rising after violent reactions to the killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, then leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in February. The killing of El Mencho sparked a wave of violence and road blockades across Mexico. File Photo by Gerardo Santillan/EPA
Aug. 6 (UPI) — The United States has increased to $25 million the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Juan Carlos Valencia González, a U.S. citizen identified as the alleged new leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Department of Justice said.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, operates in an estimated 27 of Mexico’s 32 states and maintains financial and illicit networks that extend across the Americas, Europe and Asia, according to NarcoData.
Valencia González, 41, known by the aliases “El Pelón,” “El 03,” “El JP” and “Tricky Tres,” is among the Drug Enforcement Administration’s most wanted fugitives. The initial reward was set at $5 million in December 2021.
U.S. authorities accuse him of trafficking large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States and using firearms during his operations.
“Juan Carlos Valencia González is one of the DEA’s most wanted fugitives,” Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terrance Cole said. “Today’s coordinated actions demonstrate the full weight of the U.S. government behind this effort.”
The Department of Justice on Wednesday announced new charges against five senior cartel leaders and rewards that, combined with those previously offered, exceed $100 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of eight alleged members of the organization.
Court documents cited by the U.S. government state that Valencia González assumed leadership of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel after Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known by the alias “El Mencho,” died during a Mexican military operation in February.
Regarding the new leader’s relationship with “El Mencho,” he was his stepson, as he is the son of Rosalinda González Valencia, one of the slain drug trafficker’s partners in Tapalpa, Jalisco, according to El Financiero.
Valencia González was born in September 1984 in Santa Ana, Calif., and holds U.S. and Mexican citizenships.
The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center identified him in July as the top leader of a hierarchical structure that operates through alliances with regional criminal groups.
“With more than $100 million in Department of State rewards for the capture or conviction of eight CJNG fugitives, this administration will use every tool available to bring these defendants to justice, no matter where they hide,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.
Other alleged leaders being sought include Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, known as “El Sapo”; Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez, “El Chorro”; Julio César Montero Pinzón, “El Tarjetas”; Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela, “La Firma”; and Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, known as “RR” or “Tripa.”
Authorities say several of them directed cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl trafficking networks, acquired firearms and oversaw groups of hitmen.
If convicted on the charges filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the five defendants could face up to two consecutive life sentences, according to the Department of Justice,.
The United States is also offering up to $15 million for Audias Flores Silva, known as “El Jardinero,” who was arrested in Mexico in April, and up to $2 million for Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzón, who is accused of participating in a scheme to defraud U.S. owners of timeshare properties in Mexico.
The State Department designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on Feb. 20, 2025.
U.S. authorities describe the group as one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent cartels and hold it responsible for drug trafficking, money laundering, arms smuggling, fraud and acts of intimidation.
