A TERRIFYING rumoured successor to El Mencho’s $20billion criminal empire has been identified as an American with a $5million bounty on his head.
Feared narco kingpin Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes – leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC) – was killed on Sunday during a special forces military operation.
His death has sparked chaos across Mexico as the JNGC responded with fire and fury that shut down streets and sent tourists fleeing.
Now a fresh-faced contender looking to take over from El Mencho’s reign of terror has emerged as his own stepson.
Juan Carlos Valencia González is widely considered the “de-facto second in command” of the JNGC.
He has helped mastermind the cartel group into one of Mexico’s most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organisations.
Also known as El Pelon, Tricky Tres and O3, Juan Carlos, is a dual American and Mexican citizen.
He was born in Santa Ana, Orange County, in 1984, while his cartel-linked parents lived in California.
His mother, Rosalinda “La Jefa” González Valencia, was a major player on the financial side of the cartel, according to law enforcement.
While she could take over from her late husband, most experts agree she will support her son as successor.
Many details about Juan Carlos’ early life remain unknown.
His alleged drug ties were first uncovered during a Drug Enforcement Administration probe in 2020.
An investigation found he was responsible for making and selling “tons of narcotics” and has been connected to violent crimes since 2007.
He was identified in footage showing the armed wing of the Jalisco Cartel by former Mexican defense secretary in July 2020.
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.
The US also put a $5million bounty on his head for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
Announcing the reward in 2021, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said: “[The] reward announcement underscores the US government’s commitment to pursuing the individuals and organizations that are causing the most harm in our communities.”
His wanted bio states he is 5ft 9ins, 170lbs and has brown hair and eyes.
Juan Carlos was also named on the National Counter Terrorism Center as second in command of the cartel before his stepfather was killed.
Despite him being tipped for the top job, some are less convinced.
Security analyst David Saucedo claimed on Monday Juan Carlos “lacks influence” within the cartel especially among other commanders.
Two seemingly ready-made replacements have been snared in recent years.
El Mencho’s older brother Antonio Oseguera Cervantes was taken into US custody last year alongside 28 other cartel leaders.
The drug kingpin’s son, Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, was also handed a life sentence plus 30 years after he was caught.
He was forced to hand over $6billion in cash last year for his crimes.
It comes as the death toll from the day of violence following El Mencho’s killing has reached 73.
Panicked tourists were seen attempting to flee the country through Guadalajara airport as armed cartel gunmen stormed the terminal, firing shots and sending crowds scrambling for cover.
Across the city, cars were torched and thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, turning Guadalajara into a war zone.
Residents and visitors alike were urged to stay indoors as bursts of gunfire reverberated through the streets for hours.
Violence spread across at least 20 of Mexico’s 31 states, as the country reels from the death of its most wanted man.
OnlyFans model María Julissa has even been accused of tipping off police to the location of the infamous crime lord ahead of his death.
Julissa has been forced to deny she was the secret mistress who led authorities to the pair’s love nest over the weekend.
Mexican media reported the pair were in a relationship – which the social media star quickly denied.
But a chilling banner threatening Julissa was hung up by supposed cartel members in Mexico this week.
The banner said: “B***h Maria Julissa. You bit the hand that feeds you, you sent the marines after Chelo because they stole your truck”.
Smoke billowed throughout the town of Puerto Vallarta as cartel members retaliatedCredit: Reuters
