Day 25 Post-Mencho: O3 Reportedly Named New CJNG Leader; 'El Pepe' and 'Memo' Arrested; Succession Race Narrows

Day 25 since El Mencho's killing at Tapalpa, Jalisco (February 22, 2026). Juan Carlos Valencia González 'O3,' El Mencho's stepson and commander of Grupo Élite, has reportedly been named the new CJNG leader per an anonymous cartel source — a claim assessed as credible by the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) which had designated him 'de facto second-in-command' prior to El Mencho's death. With El Doble R arrested March 11, El Tuli killed February 22, and El Sapo's status unconfirmed, O3's path to consolidation is clearer — though El Jardinero remains at large with significant regional power. Two more significant CJNG figures were arrested this week: 'El Pepe' (José N.) was captured March 16 in Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco — he was the logistics operator who transported El Mencho's romantic partner to the Tapalpa hideout, the key surveillance chain that led to the operation. 'Memo' (Juan Carlos Dominguez Jimenez) was arrested March 17 in Mexico City as a high-ranking lieutenant integral to CJNG logistics, finances, and security. Four additional CJNG members were arrested in Tulum on March 15. Mexico's anti-cartel operations continue to demonstrate sustained strategic pursuit beyond the Tapalpa operation itself.