Jalisco Cartel Operatives Believe El Mencho Was Betrayed By a Potential Successor Before Raid Where He Was Killed

An operative of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) claimed that several in the criminal organization believe that its now former leader, known as El Mencho, was betrayed by a lieutenant now considered as a potential successor.

Speaking to specialized journalist Luis Chaparro, an unidentified operative said many within the criminal organization believe El Mencho was betrayed by Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, also known as "El Sapo" (The Toad) because they saw him arming himself before the surprise raid that ended in the drug lord's death. However, the operative added, the matter is not clear yet.

According to a report by Infobae México, El Sapo was identified by a witness with Mexico's Attorney General's Office as the most likely successor to El Mencho. An investigative file citing a protected witness said El Sapo appeared to enjoy a certain level of favoritism from Oseguera Cervantes.

"When El Mencho is no longer around, the one who will be left with everything will be 'El 090,' because he is the boss's favorite and has learned how to operate within this cartel," the man said.

Speaking to investigators under the surname "Piscis," the man said El Sapo is considered the most violent member of El Mencho's inner circle and was one of the CJNG leader's most trusted men until he was killed by Mexican forces on Feb. 22 in Tapalpa, Jalisco.

El Sapo is also known for being in charge of forced recruitment. According to El País, he has been identified by U.S. authorities as allegedly overseeing a recruitment camp at the infamous Izaguirre Ranch in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, where search collectives found hundreds of pieces of clothing and bone fragments on the property.

Elsewhere in the dialogue, the cartel operative said that El Mencho surrendered to Mexican forces before being killed. The person said that the drug lord "died at the hands of the Mexican army, unarmed and having surrendered."

The account collides with that of the Mexican government. General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said that Mexican forces effectively managed to locate El Mencho after tracking down a lover of his.

He went on to detail said that military intelligence managed to locate a man close to one of El Mencho's lovers, allowing them to determine his location. Once the person left the premise, officers confirmed that El Mencho stayed there. Forces then moved on to detain him, engaging in a shootout with cartel operatives there.

El Mencho tried to escape while leaving a group of operatives behind to slow down government forces. He made it to a nearby wood, but forces pinned him down and wounded him. El Mencho was taken to a helicopter that headed to Mexico City, but he died on the way there.

• El Mencho Surrendered To Mexican Forces Before Being Killed, Journalist Claims
• Mexico's Top Security Official Lists The Potential Successors Of El Mencho: 'Two Are More Likely'

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