A fresh wave of cartel-fueled chaos erupted across central Mexico on Wednesday, as heavily armed men torched cargo trucks and barricaded major highways in a violent display linked to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The attacks, which took place along a key highway connecting Mexico City to Guadalajara, spilled over into the neighboring states of Michoacán and Guanajuato, with at least 18 similar incidents reported.
Local police sources, speaking under condition of anonymity, said the violence was a direct retaliation by CJNG in response to a recent military operation in the area. Authorities moved swiftly to regain control, with fires extinguished and roads cleared by Wednesday evening. No casualties were reported.
The latest unrest underscores the CJNG’s notorious grip over large swaths of Mexico and the persistent struggle between the state and organized crime.
Since Mexico’s declaration of war against drug trafficking organizations in 2006, the country has been gripped by a bloody conflict that has claimed the lives of nearly 480,000 people.
The CJNG, labeled a terrorist organization by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020, has emerged as one of the most brutal and sophisticated criminal syndicates in the region. Born from a split with the infamous Sinaloa cartel following the 2010 killing of capo Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel Villarreal, the CJNG has rapidly expanded its reach, with an estimated 19,000 members in its ranks, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Their recruitment tactics have sparked particular alarm. Authorities have accused the group of using fake job advertisements to lure in new members—only to torture or kill those who resist. Just last month, a group searching for missing relatives stumbled upon a suspected cartel training site, uncovering charred bones, shoes, and clothing.
At the center of the CJNG’s empire is Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, one of the most wanted men in the world. The U.S. government has offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Oseguera made headlines again this week after his image was bizarrely projected at a music festival in Jalisco, drawing widespread media attention and raising questions about cartel influence in public spaces.
In a coincidental twist, his wife, Rosalinda González, was released from prison in February after serving a five-year sentence for her role in laundering money for the criminal group. Her release came on the same day that 29 convicted drug traffickers were extradited to the United States.
The events of Wednesday offer a stark reminder that despite years of government crackdowns and military interventions, Mexico’s cartel war is far from over. As groups like CJNG continue to adapt, infiltrate, and retaliate, the Mexican people are left navigating a fragile peace, one firebombed highway at a time.
To access more breaking news, follow New Daily Prime across all social media platforms.
