The head has finally been cut off the snake and Americans would be forgiven for thinking peace is set to follow.
But, after Nemesio Oseguera Cervanteswas killed over the weekend, there is a standout successor for the new boss of the Jalisco Cartel — and he was born in California.
Juan Carlos Valencia González has emerged as a key contender to take over the $20 billion criminal empire after“El Mencho” diedin a Mexican special forces raid on Sunday.
The 41-year-old is the slain chief’s stepson. According to law enforcement, his mother Rosalinda “La Jefa” González Valencia was married to thedrug kingpinand was a major player on the financial side of the cartel.
Some analysts suggest she herself could take over from her late husband, but most experts agree she will throw her weight behind her son.
Juan Carlos, who is also known as El Pelon, Tricky Tres and O3, is a dual American and Mexican citizen, having been born in Santa Ana, Orange County, in 1984.
Many details about his early life remain unknown, but he was born while his cartel-linked parents Rosalinda and Armando Valencia Cornelio lived in California.
El Pelon’s alleged drug ties were blown into the open by the DEA in 2020. An investigation found he was responsible for making and selling “tons of narcotics” as well as behind violent crimes since 2007.
Videos surfaced in July 2020 showing the armed wing of the Jalisco Cartel, with the then Mexican Defense Secretary identifying one of those in the footage as Juan Carlos.
In October that year, the US government returned a federal indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and using a firearm during a narcotics transaction.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
