The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced new charges against the most-wanted leaders of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
The federal government is offering more than $100 million for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of eight CJNG fugitives.
“The FBI, alongside our Homeland Security Task Force partners, will systematically dismantle every piece of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.
“President Trump has given us the authorities we need to annihilate the drug trade and their criminal enterprise into fraud.”
New Charges and Rewards Announced for the Capture and/or Conviction of Senior Leaders of Notorious Mexican Cartel: More than $100 Million Offered for Information Leading to the Arrests and/or Convictions of Eight CJNG Fugitives
“The American people gave us a mandate to keep this… pic.twitter.com/5fb5ezY7lA
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) August 5, 2026
CJNG is one of the most powerful and violent criminal networks based in Mexico, with a vast reach that encompasses over half of all Mexican states.
“Emerging in 2010 as a splinter group of the Sinaloa Cartel, it was initially called Los Mata Zetas and was formed to counter the Zetas cartel. It has since evolved into a dominant force in organized crime, with operations extending across Mexico and into the United States, Europe, Asia, and other regions,” Active Cartel Map explains.
Map of the extensive reach and influence of the CJNG cartel (RED) created by @ActiveCartelMap
“The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is one of the most powerful and violent criminal organizations in Mexico. Emerging in 2010 as a splinter group of the Sinaloa Cartel, it was… pic.twitter.com/OAmcYqxFFZ
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) August 10, 2026
In addition to drug and weapons trafficking, money laundering, and a host of other illicit activities, the DOJ highlighted how CJNG targets older Americans for timeshare scams.
Fraudsters create fake documents and impersonate individuals representing trustworthy institutions to sell their storylines and scare victims into compliance.
“CJNG’s criminal enterprise has exploited financial systems and defrauded thousands of Americans, fueling violence and narcoterrorism across borders,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Deputy Chief Gary Shapley.
Department of Justice Sets Its Sights On Powerful Mexican Cartel
August 5: Multiple federal partners announced new charges of the most-wanted leaders of Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación or Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). More than $100 Million is being offered for… pic.twitter.com/0aY4clG7Ft
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) August 10, 2026
After CJNG’s longtime leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”) was killed by the Mexican military in February 2026, his stepson Juan Carlos Valencia González (“El Pelón”) was named his successor.
Valencia González was born in California and holds dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship, as we previously reported.
The DOJ is offering $25 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.
Juan Carlos Valencia González assumed the role of CJNG’s top leader following El Mencho’s death.
Valencia González is El Mencho’s stepson, who reportedly organized numerous crimes of violence as a CJNG leader, in addition to manufacturing, transporting, and distributing tonnage… pic.twitter.com/OKywoHNENT
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) August 10, 2026
According to court filings, Julio César Montero Pinzón and Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela founded and led a group of highly-trained and heavily-armed sicarios known as CJNG’s “Grupo Elite.”
According to court filings, Julio César Montero Pinzón and Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela founded and led a group of highly trained and heavily armed sicarios, known as the “Grupo Elite.”
The Grupo Elite allegedly acts as the CJNG’s enforcement arm to further CJNG’s drug… pic.twitter.com/PA3V54AyjB
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) August 10, 2026
The Grupo Elite reportedly acts as the CJNG’s enforcement arm to further the cartel’s drug trafficking operations by overseeing CJNG territories and even murdering public officials and rival cartel members.
The Grupo Elite ran infamous training camps, wherein recruits learned weapons handling, such as the use of rocket launchers, .50-caliber machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades, as well as the use of violence and torture to further CJNG’s objectives.
Montero Pinzón and Rivera Varela allegedly had more than 1,000 personnel reporting to them and ran Guadalajara Plaza, one of the most important CJNG territories.
Mexican authorities recently captured a member of Grupo Elite in Uruapan, Michoacán, and also seized a camp used by the cartel.
Mexican authorities captured a CJNG member from Grupo Elite in Uruapan, Michoacán and also seized a camp used by the cartel.
Video showing a convoy belonging to Grupo Elite of Doble RR of CJNG in Celaya, Guanajuato@All_Source_News with the footage and information pic.twitter.com/FoCyWF5QiA
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) August 10, 2026
“The FBI, alongside our Homeland Security Task Force partners, will systematically dismantle every piece of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. President Trump has given us the authorities we need to annihilate the drug trade and their criminal enterprise into fraud,” vowed Director Patel.
“This foreign terrorist organization’s complex time share fraud scheme stole hundreds of millions of dollars from U.S. citizens and continues to exploit our nation through widespread drug trafficking, money laundering, and systemic violence. This announcement puts the cartel on notice with the full force of the U.S. government committed to cutting off every source of illicit income that fuels this savage cartel.”
This article was written by Border Hawk White House correspondent Wid Lyman.
