After El Mencho’s Fall, Colombian Narco “La Firma” Could Seize Power in CJNG — FBI Offers Reward and Reveals Dark Past
Bogotá / Mexico City — In the wake of the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — long considered the head of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) — a Colombian figure known as “La Firma” has emerged as a potential successor, raising alarms among authorities in both Mexico and the United States. (infobae)
Carlos Andrés Rivera Varela, alias La Firma, is a Colombian national originally from Cali who also holds Mexican citizenship. He is currently among the most wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is offering a reward of up to $245,000 for information leading to his capture. (infobae)
A Rise from Operator to Potential Boss
Rivera Varela rose through the CJNG ranks to become a key lieutenant under El Mencho’s command, particularly in the strategic Pacific coastal hub of Puerto Vallarta. Before El Mencho’s downfall, La Firma was entrusted with responsibilities that combined violence with financial and organizational control — a role that made him both feared and influential within the cartel’s structure. (infobae)
According to investigative reports and official documents, El Mencho assigned him the task of “purging the ranks” of the organization — a mission that included internal discipline, elimination of suspected traitors, and tightening control over CJNG cells. (Publimetro Colombia)
Violence and Criminal Allegations
Rivera Varela’s reputation extends beyond internal cartel politics. U.S. authorities link him to a series of high‑profile violent crimes and criminal enterprises, including:
Alleged involvement in the 2020 attempted assassination of Omar García Harfuch, then head of security for Mexico City. (MEXC)
Connections to the 2020 murder of former Jalisco governor Aristóteles Sandoval in Puerto Vallarta. (infobae)
These allegations, together with evidence of his leadership in organized and armed operations, contribute to his designation as “armed and extremely dangerous” by U.S. law enforcement. (MEXC)
Financial Crimes and International Reach
In addition to orchestrating violence, La Firma is accused of heading sophisticated financial schemes that helped fund CJNG operations. The FBI’s indictment includes conspiracy to commit money laundering and providing material support to a designated terrorist organization, tying him to large‑scale fraud targeting victims in the United States — particularly through timeshare scams and other deceptive investment enterprises that defrauded thousands of Americans. (Puerto Vallarta News)
Power Vacuum and What Comes Next
With El Mencho’s removal from the scene, a leadership vacuum has opened within CJNG’s sprawling global network. For now, La Firma is widely viewed as one of the prime contenders to assume top command, though internal power struggles — with other senior figures and competing cells — are expected amid the cartel’s fight to maintain cohesion and influence. (Pulzo)
Authorities and analysts warn that La Firma’s potential rise could signal a shift toward even more internationalized criminal operations, given his blend of financial savvy, violent reputation and transnational connections. The situation underscores the evolving nature of cartel leadership in Mexico and the ongoing challenges in confronting organized crime that spans borders. (infobae)
0 Comments