What had been an open secret for months was confirmed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) in its 2025 report: an alliance between the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and "Los Chapitos," a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel currently fighting for control in northern Mexico with "La Mayiza."
In its latest report, the DEA warned of a potential alliance between the two criminal groups. The agency said the Jalisco Cartel — led by Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes — may be seeking to take advantage of the ongoing conflict between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza to expand its influence into parts of Sinaloa.
"A strategic alliance between CJNG and Los Chapitos has the potential to expand these groups' territories, resources, firepower, and access to corrupt officials," a passage of the report states. "This could significantly disrupt the existing balance of criminal power in Mexico and increase northbound drug flow and southbound weapons trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border."
Earlier this year, investigative journalist David Saucedo said CJNG had already expanded into several northern states, including Sonora, Baja California and Durango. He added that the group appeared to be "waiting" for the right moment to escalate its involvement.
"It gives me the impression that CJNG is just waiting to see more wear and tear from both Sinaloa Cartel factions before siding with one of the cliques," Saucedo said in February.
Similarly, Mexican journalist Luis Chaparro reported that, in January, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar — one of the leaders of Los Chapitos — met with a close associate of "El Mencho" to discuss a truce. According to Chaparro, the meeting resulted in an agreement to collaborate against La Mayiza.
"They agreed to hand over territories controlled by Los Chapitos, especially around the U.S.-Mexico border, in exchange for firearms and soldiers to fight Los Mayos," Chaparro said. "They even talked about developing a logo to distinguish their alliance."
As reported by El País, the DEA report notes that CJNG maintains a "significant presence" in central and southern Mexico. In the north, the cartel also operates in Sonora, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Durango, Coahuila and Nuevo León.
The report also highlights the role of Los Cuinis, a violent CJNG cell and the group's main financial arm, in managing its money laundering operations.
"This group and other CJNG factions use Chinese money laundering networks, cryptocurrency exchanges, bulk cash smuggling, trade-based money laundering, and other methods for laundering illicit drug-related proceeds," the report says.
As news of the alleged truce spreads, videos circulating on social media suggest CJNG operatives are already entering territories controlled by La Mayiza.
According to a video posted by El Blog del Narco on X, Jalisco Cartel gunmen were reportedly seen in several municipalities in Zacatecas, where local authorities allegedly reported clashes with the group.
CJNG PRESUMEN EN VIDEO ENTRADA A TERRENOS DE LOS MAYOS EN ZACATECAS
— El Blog del Narco (@narcoblogger) May 19, 2025
— Un video en redes sociales muestra a presuntos miembros del CJNG ingresando a áreas controladas por el Cártel de los Mayos en Zacatecas. Las autoridades locales confirmaron que estos hechos ocurrieron en la… pic.twitter.com/Bw0tzQiG3Q
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