Alliances in Blood: CJNG and Los Chapitos unite, igniting a new era of terror in Mexico's drug war

Reports indicate that this collaboration includes sharing resources and territories, allowing both groups to consolidate power in regions that were once contested.

The undercurrents of Mexico's drug war are shifting, and the recent alliance between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and Los Chapitos—a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel—has sent shockwaves through the country. This coalition raises questions about the future of cartel power dynamics and the implications for violence across Mexico. The ramifications of this alliance are profound, touching not only the lives of those directly involved but also the everyday citizens caught in the crossfire.

The rise of CJNG and Los Chapitos

CJNG, led by the notorious Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," has grown exponentially over the past decade. Originally an offshoot of the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG has established itself as a dominant force, employing ruthless tactics to expand its territory. According to reports, CJNG has been involved in numerous violent confrontations with rival cartels, resulting in a death toll that has reached staggering heights— some sources estimate over 8,000 homicides linked to cartel violence just in 2023 alone.