The killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, has sent shockwaves through Mexico’s criminal underworld. As the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), his death marks a turning point in the country’s long battle against organised crime. But while authorities focus on stabilising the security situation, public attention has shifted to El Mencho’s family, especially his daughter, Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez, a figure already known to US law enforcement.
Her past conviction, lifestyle, and family connections have resurfaced amid questions about what comes next for the cartel.
Who is El Mencho’s Daughter Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez?
Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez, 39, is widely known by the alias “La Negra.” She is the daughter of El Mencho and Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia, whose relatives, often referred to as Los Cuinis, are believed to have handled much of the financial machinery behind CJNG.
Born in San Francisco, United States, Jessica holds dual US and Mexican citizenship. During her school years, she moved to Mexico and later studied marketing at a university in Guadalajara. On the surface, her background appeared far removed from the violent image associated with cartel leadership. However, investigators say her role was tied to the cartel’s financial operations rather than street-level crime.
Why Was El Mencho’s Daughter Arrested in the United States?
US authorities arrested Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez in February 2020 in Washington, DC. She had travelled from Mexico to attend her brother’s criminal court hearing when federal agents took her into custody.
Prosecutors charged her with five counts of “Engaging in Transactions or Dealings in Properties of a Designated Foreign Person.” The charges accused her of conducting business with Mexican companies linked to CJNG, which the US had designated as narcotics traffickers.
She pleaded guilty to all five counts.
How Long Did Jessica Oseguera Serve in Jail?
In 2021, a US court sentenced Jessica to 30 months in prison for “willfully engaging in financial dealings with Mexican companies that had been identified as specially designated narcotics traffickers.” She served approximately 25 months and was released early in 2022.
Her arrest drew widespread attention due to the contrast between her personal image and the charges she faced. On the morning she was detained, Jessica had received the ash cross marking the beginning of Lent. Family members described her as deeply religious.
At the same time, reports noted she was wearing luxury items, including a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton coat, and an Hermès handbag, highlighting the wealth tied to cartel-linked finances.
El Mencho’s Family and the CJNG Network
Jessica is one of the three children of El Mencho. Her brother Rubén Oseguera González, also known as “El Menchito,” has faced multiple criminal cases and is regarded as a key figure within CJNG. Her sister, Laisha Oseguera, has kept a much lower public profile but remains part of a family long monitored by investigators.
El Mencho married Rosalinda González Valencia in 1996. Although the couple reportedly separated legally in 2018, authorities believe extended family connections continued to play a role in CJNG’s structure, particularly in managing finances and logistics.
What Happens to CJNG After El Mencho’s Death?
With El Mencho now dead, security experts expect internal instability within CJNG. Leadership struggles, retaliation attacks, and attempts to protect financial networks are likely in the short term.
Mexican authorities see the operation that killed El Mencho as a major strategic victory, weakening one of the country’s most violent criminal groups. However, analysts warn that the cartel’s deep structure means family members and trusted lieutenants could still influence its direction.
As attention remains on CJNG’s next moves, Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez’s past underscores how cartel power often extends beyond gunmen and into financial and family networks—making the aftermath of El Mencho’s death a critical moment for Mexico’s security landscape.
