According to a report from the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, a man identified as Juan Carlos Valencia González—known by the alias “El 03″—may now be at the helm of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations.
The CJNG has long been associated with drug trafficking, extortion, and violent territorial disputes across Mexico, and it remains a top target for both Mexican and US law enforcement agencies. Any change in the group’s leadership would be closely watched by security analysts, as shifts at the top of major cartels can trigger internal power struggles or changes in operational strategy.
Details about how Valencia González, if confirmed, rose to this position, or what it might mean for the cartel’s future activities, were not fully outlined in the initial report. The claim comes amid ongoing efforts by Mexican authorities to dismantle the CJNG’s leadership structure following years of targeted operations against its founders and senior figures.
For the complete story and additional context on this developing situation, readers are encouraged to consult the original report from La Jornada.
Source: Juan Carlos Valencia González, 'El 03', sería el nuevo líder del 'CJNG' (jornada.com.mx). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: phoneymanflickr, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).