The CJNG Kingmaker

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Cartel Insider Analysis by Mica

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Overview

The Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) has equipped dozens of its improvised armored fighting vehicles (IAFVs) with M134 miniguns. This upgrade was confirmed in August 2023 during a clash between a CJNG convoy and Mexican military forces in Jalisco. These formidable weapons strengthen the security around CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” and significantly boost the firepower of CJNG’s operational units.

Confirmation

CJNG’s use of M134 miniguns was verified during an engagement with Mexican military forces in Jalisco. Close to the Michoacán border, this encounter showcased the cartel’s enhanced defensive and offensive capabilities.

Tactical Advantage

The M134 minigun is a powerful six-barrel rotary machine gun capable of firing 50 rounds per second, offering a substantial tactical advantage. Its integration into CJNG’s IAFVs marks an evolution in cartel weaponry. This military-designed weapon is the most critical weapon acquired by narcos to date.

Acquisition History

Intelligence reports indicate that CJNG may have acquired up to 10 miniguns as early as the fall of 2020. These weapons were intended to fortify the security around El Mencho, making it more difficult for rival cartels and government forces to apprehend or eliminate him. Notably, El Mencho refers to these miniguns as his “bodyguards,” underlining their critical role in his protection. His top captains now utilize these powerful weapons, including El Jardinero and El Sapo. In addition to being mounted on IAFVs, these miniguns are also installed on pickup trucks, enhancing their operational versatility. A source at the FBI tells me that they have quadrupled the total of M134 miniguns.

Recent Incidents

On August 2, 2023, a heavily armed CJNG group attacked SEDENA personnel in Jalisco, near the Michoacán border. This marked the first recorded use of the M134 minigun by the cartel, significantly affecting the Mexican military forces involved.

Evidence Collection

Authorities recovered footage from captured drones and local witnesses, confirming the deployment of these advanced weapons. This new phase in the cartel’s armament strategy has far-reaching implications for inter-cartel and military engagements.

Operational Impact

The M134 minigun’s ability to deliver overwhelming firepower in short bursts makes it a critical addition to CJNG’s arsenal. Traditionally, this weapon has given Mexican military forces a significant advantage in combat. However, its acquisition by CJNG suggests a shift towards achieving tactical parity or even superiority in future confrontations.

Furthermore, the destructive power and rapid fire of the M134 minigun have a psychological impact on those tasked with pursuing El Mencho, creating fear and hesitation among government forces and rival cartels. This extraordinary power leads me to refer to the M134 as ‘The Kingmaker.’

Expanded Use of Miniguns

The M134 minigun, initially designed for military use, has found its way into the hands of the CJNG through illicit channels. The cartel has reportedly modified vehicles into what is locally known as “monstruos” (monsters) — heavily armored trucks equipped with mounted Miniguns. These vehicles demonstrate the cartel’s ability to innovate tactically and its readiness to confront rival cartels and government forces.

In offensive operations, the CJNG uses the Minigun to exert control over territories and to eliminate opposition from rival cartels. The rapid-fire capability of the Minigun is leveraged to overwhelm enemies with a sheer volume of fire, which is particularly effective in large-scale ambushes or when attempting to breach fortified positions held by rivals.

Defensively, the CJNG deploys Miniguns to secure key holdings and to enforce their dominance in strategic locations such as drug production facilities and smuggling routes. In encounters with law enforcement and military forces, the Minigun-equipped “monstruos” serve as mobile fortresses, capable of repelling attacks and breaking through sieges.

Implications and Concerns

The adaptation of the M134 Minigun by the CJNG reflects a broader trend among cartels to militarize their operations. This escalation has led to an arms race with rival groups and law enforcement, resulting in increased violence and instability across regions under cartel influence.

The international implications are also significant, as the firepower and tactics employed by the CJNG and similar organizations can have cross-border effects, influencing drug policy and law enforcement strategies in neighboring countries, particularly the United States.

Los Viagras Pay Up

On the night of May 11, rumors surfaced about the potential death of Rodolfo Sierra Santana, also known as ‘La Teresa,’ a key figure within the Los Viagras cartel. Reports suggest ‘La Teresa’ was ambushed near Zirándaro, on the Michoacán-Guerrero border, by CJNG hitmen under orders from Audias Flores Silva, or ‘El Jardinero.’

Traveling with bodyguards in a convoy, ‘La Teresa’ was reportedly attacked with high-powered weaponry, including a Minigun. This incident underscores the CJNG’s aggressive tactics and use of the M134 Minigun to eliminate rivals.

Summary

CJNG’s acquisition and use of M134 miniguns on their armored vehicles and pickup trucks highlight a significant shift in cartel warfare. This development bolsters the defensive capabilities around El Mencho but also presents a new challenge to Mexican military forces. As cartels continue to upgrade their arsenals, the Mexican government must adapt its strategies to counter these threats effectively.

Additionally, the psychological effect of these weapons adds a new layer of complexity to efforts aimed at capturing or neutralizing El Mencho. The CJNG’s use of the M134 Minigun is a stark example of how drug cartels have evolved into paramilitary-like forces, equipped with military-grade weaponry and employing tactics that challenge even the most prepared military and police forces.

This development necessitates reevaluating traditional anti-cartel strategies, emphasizing the need for enhanced intelligence, coordination, and resources to counter the sophisticated armaments of the cartels effectively.

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Thanks for reading!

Mica

Email: mica@cartelinsider.com

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