Wall Street Journal: California-Born 'El 03' Consolidating Control of CJNG Following El Mencho's Death

The Wall Street Journal published a detailed report confirming that Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias 'El 03,' a 41-year-old California-born U.S. citizen and stepson of the late El Mencho, has emerged as the de facto leader of CJNG following Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes's killing on February 22. The U.S. Department of State and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) have both identified Valencia González as the cartel's new primary leader. He previously commanded Grupo Élite, the CJNG's militarized armed wing operating in Michoacán, Zacatecas, and Guanajuato. The U.S. government is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. Security experts note that his U.S. citizenship creates unprecedented legal complications for counter-cartel operations, while also raising questions about his ability to sustain internal cartel loyalty without El Mencho's founding authority.