Harfuch Confirms U.S. Extradition Order and Dual Nationality for CJNG Leader 'El 03' (Juan Carlos Valencia González)

At the September 4, 2026 federal morning press briefing in Zacatecas, Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed that Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias 'El 03' or 'El Pelón' — identified by U.S. authorities as El Mencho's successor atop CJNG — has a U.S. extradition order and dual Mexican-U.S. nationality: 'Sí, tiene orden de extradición también y tiene doble nacionalidad.' Valencia González, born September 12, 1984, in Santa Ana, California, is the stepson of El Mencho and son of Rosalinda González Valencia, the late leader's ex-wife; he previously led CJNG's 'Elite Group' armed wing, established in 2019. Harfuch said Mexican authorities concur with the U.S. assessment that Valencia González is the most prominent among several regional CJNG leaders, without formally declaring him the cartel's sole national leader. The U.S. reward for information leading to his capture stands at $25M, raised from $5M.