Security: Michoacán
Key Facts
—Charges. On 5 August 2026, the US Justice Department unsealed criminal charges against five senior leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
—Accused. Prosecutors named Julio César Montero Pinzón, Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela, Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, Ricardo Ruiz Velasco and Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez, all described as fugitives; the charges are allegations yet to be tested in court.
—Allegations. The indictments allege decade-long conspiracies to traffic cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl to the United States, plus firearms offences carrying up to two consecutive life terms.
