Who is 'El Pelon' Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez? US born Grupo Elite figure rumoured to take control of CJNG after El Mencho’s death

Nillohit Bagchi | Feb 25, 2026, 11:55 IST

Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez, known as El Pelon, is being widely rumoured as CJNG’s next leader after El Mencho’s death in the February 2026 Tapalpa raid. The US born cartel insider has long been linked to Grupo Elite, raising fears of internal conflict, expansion, and fresh violence during a fragile power transition.

Image credit : X/@DramaAlert | Juan Carlos Valencia González, known as El Pelon, is being widely rumoured as CJNG’s next leader after El Mencho’s death

Just days after CJNG founder Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes died following a Mexican military raid in Tapalpa on February 22 2026, speculation has already begun about who may take control of one of Mexico’s most feared cartels. A new name is now spreading rapidly across social media and intelligence circles alike.

Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez, also known as El Pelon or O3, is being rumoured as the man stepping into the vacuum left behind. Authorities in Mexico and the United States have not confirmed any leadership change yet, but analysts have long viewed him as one of the most important figures within the cartel’s inner circle.

The man behind the name 'El Pelon'

🔥🚨BREAKING: An anonymous CJNG source just claimed that American citizen Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias "O3," has been named the new leader of CJNG.

He is El Mencho's stepson and controls the cartel's armed wing Grupo Elite, with a $5 million US bounty on his head.

He… pic.twitter.com/4K1RA4hmso

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) February 24, 2026

Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez was born on September 12 1984 in Santa Ana, California. This makes him a rare case within cartel leadership because he holds dual US and Mexican citizenship by birth. He is the son of Armando Valencia Cornelio, a former Milenio Cartel figure, and Rosalinda González Valencia, who later married El Mencho.

That family connection effectively made him the CJNG leader’s stepson. Over the years, investigators in the United States have described him as a senior level operator within the cartel’s drug trafficking network. He has been linked to the production and transportation of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl destined for the United States.

Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez's role inside Grupo Elite

🚨🇺🇸🇲🇽Per an anonymous CJNG source, Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias "O3," has been named the new leader of CJNG.

He's El Mencho's stepson, runs the cartel's armed wing Grupo Elite, and has a $5 million US bounty on his head.

There’s more: He was born in Santa Ana,… https://t.co/8KtmTTljkZ pic.twitter.com/WL5TkESkP5

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 24, 2026

Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez is widely believed to have played a major role in Grupo Elite, the CJNG’s heavily armed enforcement wing. This unit has been connected to some of the cartel’s most violent operations since its emergence around 2019.

In October 2020, a federal grand jury in Washington DC indicted him on narcotics conspiracy charges related to drug importation. The indictment also included accusations tied to the use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Since December 2021, the US State Department has offered a 5 million dollar reward for information that could lead to his arrest or conviction.

Why is 'El Pelon' being touted as a possible successor to El Mencho?

The sudden death of El Mencho has created a leadership vacuum within the CJNG at a time when several of his immediate family members remain imprisoned in the United States. This has raised questions about who can maintain operational control across the cartel’s network. Security analysts had already flagged Valencia González as a potential heir apparent because of his blood ties and his reported influence over the cartel’s armed wing. However, some experts believe he may struggle to command loyalty from regional commanders, which could lead to internal friction or even violent power struggles.

CJNG source just claimed that American citizen Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias "O3," has been named the new leader of CJNG.

He is El Mencho's stepson and controls the cartel's armed wing Grupo Elite, with a $5 million US bounty on his head.

He was born in Santa Ana,… pic.twitter.com/kNrXCHPOZL

— RapidAlert (@DisasterAlert2) February 24, 2026

Online reactions poured in within hours of the first unverified claims appearing on X. One user on X said, “Mexico’s most violent cartel now being run by someone born in Orange County is something nobody expected.” Another user posted, “If this is true, it could complicate US involvement because he is a citizen by birth.” A third wrote, “This sounds plausible but the real threat is possible infighting if commanders do not accept him.”

Not everyone was convinced though. Several users pointed out that the claim originated from a single anonymous cartel source and has not been confirmed by the DEA or Mexican authorities.

What could happen next for CJNG?

Even if Valencia Gonzalez manages to consolidate power, experts warn that the transition period could become extremely violent. Rival groups may see this as an opportunity to expand their influence, while factions within CJNG could push back against new leadership.

If you’re wondering what happens next after the death of Ruben Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho”, the likely successor is his stepson, Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez, known as “El Pelón.”

Born in Santa Ana, California, “El Pelón” has long been identified as second-in-command… pic.twitter.com/14m4w1soaN

— CodeThreeNews (@CodeThreeNews) February 23, 2026

As of February 25 2026, there has been no official confirmation that El Pelon has taken charge. Still, the rumours alone highlight how uncertain the cartel’s future has become after the end of El Mencho’s long rule.

GENERAL

Nillohit Bagchi