What to know about the Jalisco cartel and its late leader

NPR | By Henry Larson,

Patrick Jarenwattananon, Mary Louise Kelly

Published February 23, 2026 at 5:24 PM EST

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with organized crime expert Steven Dudley about "El Mencho" and what the death of the cartel leader means for the fight against drug trafficking in Mexico.

Henry Larson

Patrick Jarenwattananon

See stories by Patrick Jarenwattananon

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is a co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine.

See stories by Mary Louise Kelly

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