NatSec Matters Eliminating 'El Mencho' & Re-Engineering the Americas: Dr. Ryan Berg
Feb 26, 2026
Dr. Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program and Venezuela specialist at CSIS. He breaks down Mexico's violent cartel fallout after El Mencho's killing and the shifting U.S.-Mexico security cooperation. He maps Venezuela's high-stakes road to credible elections and outlines U.S. pressure and outreach strategies toward Cuba.
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Death Of El Mencho Sparked Nationwide Cartel Reprisal
- The Mexican military killed Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera "El Mencho," triggering coordinated nationwide cartel retaliation across 250+ sites.
- Retaliation included narco barricades and violence far beyond Jalisco, showing unprecedented cartel coordination and reach.
Sheinbaum Adopted Data Driven Aggressive Security Policy
- Claudia Sheinbaum shifted security from AMLO's "abrazos no balazos" to focused, data-driven operations targeting high-violence pockets.
- She replicated Mexico City tactics nationally, installing Omar Garcia Harfuch as security minister to reassert state presence.
Don’t Push Troops Or Strikes Into Mexico Without Consent
- Avoid unilateral U.S. military action inside Mexico; leverage intelligence cooperation and Mexican consent instead.
- Mexico insists on sovereignty; special operations or strikes remain politically sensitive and need Senate approval.