The Intelligence from The Economist Chapo, Mayo, Mencho: another Mexican kingpin falls
24 snips
Feb 25, 2026 
Sarah Birke, Mexico City bureau chief who covers politics and security, explains El Mencho's capture and the likely surge of cartel violence. Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor who reports on war’s domestic effects, describes how daily life and the economy have shifted under four years of conflict. Short, sharp takes on cartel fragmentation, wartime resource shifts, and life in modern Russia.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Kingpin Capture Risks Fragmentation And More Violence
- Capturing El Mencho is a major coup but risks sparking more violence across Mexico.
- The Jalisco New Generation cartel is widespread, brutal, and vertical, so removing a ruthless leader often causes fragmentation and internecine wars.
How Jalisco Cartel Projects Power Nationwide
- Sarah Birke describes the cartel's capabilities and tactics to illustrate its threat level.
- It operates in all 32 states, uses drones and anti-aircraft weapons, and comprises up to 92 affiliated groups under a vertical command.
Weigh Political Pressure Before Targeting Kingpins
- Mexico pursued El Mencho partly because President Claudia Sheinbaum prioritized security and faced U.S. pressure.
- The operation showcased improved Mexican intelligence and capability while acknowledging the risks of a kingpin-focused strike.