Juan Carlos Valencia González, a U.S. citizen and stepson of Nemesio Oseguera, alias “El Mencho,” now appears to be in charge of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel, which could complicate U.S. efforts to eradicate drug trafficking in Mexican territory, The Wall Street Journal reported.
In a lengthy report—the newspaper noted that El Mencho had just been buried in a gold coffin in early March—his stepson, born in California, began his ascent to the throne of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The rise of Juan Carlos Valencia González, 41, marks the formal coronation of the Valencia family dynasty at the head of the organization known for its paramilitary capabilities and territorial expansion, U.S. officials told the WSJ.
“U.S. intelligence agencies could now face legal hurdles to directly target and collect personal data on Valencia González because of his birthplace. This could hinder important tactical cooperation that has developed between Mexico’s president (Claudia Sheinbaum) and the United States,” the newspaper reported.
According to the rules for monitoring U.S. citizens abroad, the publication added, Washington would normally need the approval of the attorney general and also convince a secret foreign intelligence surveillance court that, in this particular case, Valencia González is acting as an “agent of a foreign power,” such as an international terrorist group.
“Although these hurdles can be overcome, the additional requirements could slow down a rapid operation, current and former U.S. officials said,” the newspaper noted.
In that regard, law enforcement agencies have more limitations on the investigative tools they can use against U.S. citizens and are not permitted by Mexico to conduct operations within the country.
The Wall Street Journal revealed that high-definition surveillance provided by CIA drones was crucial in eliminating Nemesio Oseguera.
“At Mexico’s request, the CIA positioned an unarmed Predator drone over a resort in Tapalpa, where it observed a man exiting a vehicle and affectionately embracing Oseguera’s partner, according to people familiar with the operation.
“Intelligence officials concluded that the man must be Oseguera himself, since who else would dare to be so close to the drug lord’s girlfriend?” Within hours, Mexican special forces stormed the hideout, killing Oseguera and eight of his bodyguards,” the article recounted.
Valencia González, New Target of Targeted Attacks
Valencia González’s U.S. citizenship would drastically increase the risk if President Donald Trump follows through on his publicly stated desire to carry out targeted killings of Mexican drug traffickers, according to the newspaper.
During the Obama administration, it added, CIA drone strikes killed several U.S. citizens, including Anwar al-Awlaki, a New Mexico-born cleric who became the leader of al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen.
“After watching on television how violence was spreading throughout Mexico following Oseguera’s death, President Trump said he called President Claudia Sheinbaum and told her that Mexico must stop the chaos, offering to send U.S. forces to combat the cartels,” the article stated.
Source: milenio
