U.S. Pressure on Mexico Escalates Ahead of Elections and CJNG Hunt

The United States has announced a reward of up to 25 million pesos for information leading to the capture of Juan Carlos Valencia González, identified as the successor to CJNG leader El Mencho. The move is framed as part of a broader U.S. strategy to influence Mexico ahead of the November U.S. midterm elections, with officials warning they will pursue cartel leaders “wherever they are.”

Mexican Senate leader Ricardo Monreal warned that U.S. pressure on Mexico is intensifying, citing the recent suspension of avocado exports as an example of political leverage. He said, “Los republicanos utilizan a México como un lugar de golpeteo, como un sparring para lograr simpatías en su país,” and called for support of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s security strategy against organized crime. The combined actions raise concerns of renewed violence in Jalisco, echoing earlier clashes in Sinaloa after a U.S. operation there.