The capture and death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, represents a crucial blow to drug trafficking, a phenomenon that has impacted Mexico for over a century and shows no sign of disappearing.
The history of drug trafficking in Mexico stretches back to the early 20th century. In 1914, the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act restricted the import, manufacture, and distribution of opiates and coca products in the United States.
1914: Prohibition and Demand in the U.S.
Despite the restrictions, demand for drugs like cocaine, heroin, and morphine from American consumers persisted. This demand fueled the illegal drug trade in Mexico, with traffickers beginning to import narcotics to the U.S. From Europe around 1914.
By the 1930s, Mexico transitioned into a drug-producing country, according to historian Benjamin Smith of the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.
1970: Increased Violence
For a long time, drug trafficking was largely a peaceful business conducted by individuals with humble origins and family ties. However, in the 1970s, the Mexican state responded to pressure from the United States by combating drug traffickers with increasingly violent methods, including torture to obtain information.
This response, according to an academic author, created a crisis of trust within the networks of drug traffickers.
1980-1990: The Rise of the Cartels
Cartels are defined as “systems of government parallel to the Mexican State, which control all illicit trade in an area.” These cartels differ from previous independent drug production and smuggling networks.
The Tijuana Cartel, founded by the Arellano Félix brothers in Baja California, was the first of its kind in Mexico. Other major criminal organizations that consolidated during the 1980s and 1990s include the Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and the Juárez Cartel.
Beginning in 1989, cartels began to control more of the country’s illicit economies, absorbing drug trafficking and challenging the power of the ruling PRI party.
While a historian acknowledges the presence of regions where organized crime has established parallel governments with ties to local and state politicians—such as in Michoacán, Guerrero, Jalisco, and Sinaloa—they reject the idea of Mexico as a corrupt state allied with drug trafficking.
“Much of the Mexican State has no ties to organized crime, especially compared to other Latin American countries. There are many places in Mexico where there is not much corruption at the municipal or regional level,” observes Benjamin Smith.
2006: The Drug War
Under the presidency of Felipe Calderón (2006-2012), the Mexican state launched a direct war against drug cartels. Since then, Mexican governments have mobilized the Army and other security forces, such as the National Guard, to varying degrees for this task.
The captures of “Chapo” Guzmán (2018) and “Mayo” Zambada (2024), founders of the Sinaloa Cartel, and their subsequent extraditions to the United States have weakened the criminal organization. However, the dispute over cartel leadership has unleashed a wave of violence in the state of Sinaloa.
Some observers fear that the recent capture of “El Mencho,” leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, could lead to a similar crisis of violence.
However, the historian Smith notes that Mexico will be a host country for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. He believes there is a tacit agreement between the state and the cartels, whereby Mexican authorities demand that criminals maintain a low profile.
“It does not indicate that the Government is supporting the cartels, but This proves telling them that if they are going to continue with their businesses, their killings, they should do so without causing so many problems,” says the professor from the University of Warwick.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the war on drugs in Mexico, and there is still no finish in sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the origins of drug trafficking in Mexico?
The roots of drug trafficking in Mexico date back to 1914, when the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act in the United States restricted the import and sale of narcotics, creating demand that Mexican traffickers began to supply.
When did cartels begin to emerge in Mexico?
Cartels began to emerge in the 1980s and 1990s, defined as “systems of government parallel to the Mexican State” that control illicit trade in an area. The Tijuana Cartel was the first of its kind.
What is the current state of the drug war in Mexico?
The war on drugs in Mexico will be 20 years old this year, and there is no end in sight. Recent captures of cartel leaders, like “El Mencho,” could potentially lead to increased violence.
Given the long and complex history of drug trafficking in Mexico, what factors might contribute to a lasting resolution to this ongoing conflict?
