Trending Now - Jalisco Cartel Co-founder Admits Guilt in U.S. Court

WHO:

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Érick Valencia Salazar, co-founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - A. Tysen Duva, assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's criminal division.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - The U.S. State Department, which offered a reward for Valencia Salazar's arrest.

WHAT:

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Valencia Salazar pleaded guilty to a federal narcotics conspiracy charge in Washington, D.C.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - He faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Valencia Salazar was indicted on the conspiracy charge in 2018.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - The CJNG has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by President Trump's administration last year.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Over 70 people were killed during the military operation that resulted in "El Mencho's" death, including 25 Mexican National Guard troops.

WHERE:

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Valencia Salazar is from Santa Clara, California.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - The military operation that killed "El Mencho" took place in Mexico, specifically in the municipality of Zapopan, near Guadalajara, and in Tapalpa.

WHEN:

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Valencia Salazar pleaded guilty on April 7th, 2026.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31st, 2026.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - "El Mencho" was killed in February 2026.

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Valencia Salazar was extradited to the U.S. in February 2025.

WHY:

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - The Justice Department stated that Valencia Salazar was responsible for furthering violence in Mexico and destabilizing the region.

HOW:

[06:27 EDT] - CBS News - Valencia Salazar was involved in recruiting members and obtaining information about rival cartels to locate and kill enemies of the CJNG.

(UPDATED April 8, 2026 13:23 UTC)

Érick Valencia Salazar, co-founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, pleaded guilty to a federal narcotics conspiracy charge on Tuesday, and now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum of life. The Justice Department has linked Valencia Salazar to significant violence in Mexico, including his role in recruiting members and targeting rival cartels, while the CJNG was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Trump’s administration last year. Valencia Salazar, who was extradited to the U.S. in February 20th25, is scheduled for sentencing July 31st, following the military operation in February 20th26 that resulted in the death of his associate, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."