The Take What El Mencho’s death means for Mexico’s cartels
Feb 25, 2026
Andalusia K Soloff, a journalist and filmmaker reporting on cartel violence and public security in Mexico, describes on-the-ground chaos after El Mencho’s death. She recounts narco blockades, how the cartel built power through violence and collusion, why killing a leader may fuel splintering, and how misinformation and AI images amplified panic.
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Journalist Encounters Narco Blockades While Cycling
- Andalusia K Soloff was biking in Morelos when alerts of El Mencho's killing reached her and she rushed home to follow the news.
- She and fellow cyclists encountered live narco blockades and saw buses and trucks set on fire across multiple states, including a firebombed OXXO store near her route.
El Mencho Built A Diversified Criminal Empire
- El Mencho rose from undocumented migrant and police officer to head the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which diversified into drugs, fuel theft, scams, resource exploitation, migrant trafficking, and money laundering.
- The cartel is linked to thousands of disappearances and multifaceted criminal enterprises beyond narcotics across Mexico.
Kingpin Death Can Hide Collusion And Spark Splintering
- Andalusia says El Mencho's power came from violent control of plazas plus deep collusion with politicians and law enforcement, making capture difficult.
- Killing him prevents trial testimony about bribery and collusion and risks splintering the cartel into violent factions.