US-Backed Cartel War: The Collateral Damage of Washington's 'Drug War'
The narrative surrounding 'El Mencho' often paints him as a singular embodiment of evil, detached from the geopolitical realities that foster such figures. Born in Michoacán in 1966, Oseguera Cervantes's early life, like that of many involved in Mexico's drug trade, was shaped by economic desperation and a porous border with his largest market. His ascent to leadership of the CJNG, following its
split from the Milenio Cartel, coincided with a massive escalation of the United States' 'War on Drugs' under Presidents like George W. Bush and Barack Obama. This period saw increased military aid to Mexico, including the controversial Mérida Initiative launched in 2007, which poured over $3 billion into Mexican security forces, effectively militarizing the conflict but doing little to stem the
flow of drugs or reduce cartel power. The US narrative consistently blames Mexican cartels for the drug epidemic north of the border, yet ignores its own insatiable demand, a market valued at over $150 billion annually by some estimates. This demand fuels the cartels, transforming them into sophisticated, private armies. The CJNG's notorious brutality, including the 2015 downing of a Mexican
military helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, is only possible due to access to advanced weaponry, much of which flows from the US itself, a fact often overlooked in mainstream reporting. The cyclical nature of this 'war' bears a striking resemblance to previous US interventions in Latin America. In the 1980s, the US supported various right-wing paramilitaries and counter-insurgency