The Daily (NYT)

Episode: Inside the Operation to Take Down Mexico’s Biggest Drug Lord

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Natalie Kitroeff
Guests: Maria Abi Habib and Jack Nikas

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the dramatic operation that led to the death of El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel—the world’s most notorious drug lord. The discussion explores El Mencho’s rise from impoverished beginnings to cartel kingpin, the significance of his takedown, the influences of U.S. political pressure (particularly from President Trump), and the potential implications for Mexico’s ongoing struggle against cartel violence and corruption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Significance of El Mencho's Capture

• The Takedown:

  • El Mencho was "arguably the single biggest criminal in the world, the most wanted man" ([02:11], Jack).
  • Led the most powerful cartel in Mexico—possibly globally—with deep government connections.
  • His capture, coming months before the World Cup in Mexico, could spark a "new chapter of violence" ([02:52], Jack).

• A Major Test for Mexico:

  • "Mexico security forces tested in a way that we’ve never seen before." ([02:59], Maria)

2. El Mencho’s Rise to Power

• Humble Beginnings:

  • Born in rural poverty in Michoacán, dropped out of school, worked in avocado fields ([03:46], Maria).
  • Crossed into the U.S., became involved in drug operations, was repeatedly deported.

• Becoming a Cartel Leader:

  • Joined and ascended Millenio Cartel ranks by marrying the leader’s daughter.
  • "A Romeo and Juliet story, but filled with heroin and meth..." ([05:37], Maria)
  • Brutal internal conflicts led to his split, founding the "Jalisco New Generation Cartel" ([06:32], Maria).

• Notorious Methods:

  • Required new recruits to commit acts of extreme violence, including reports of cannibalism ([07:22], Maria).

3. Cartel’s Expansion and Business Diversification

• Beyond Drugs:

  • Cartel infiltrated avocado industry, hotel business, timeshare scams, illegal mining ([08:22], Maria).
  • “They have their tentacles in the state governments and in the local governments... when a hurricane hits, sometimes the Jalisco cartel are the ones providing aid.” ([09:53], Jack)

• Fortune-500 Cartel:

  • Compared to a "Fortune 500 company with a diverse set of businesses" ([09:53], Jack), but also as a de facto state actor.

4. Government Response: Inaction, Complicity, & Difficulty

• Why Was Nothing Done Sooner?

  • El Mencho’s elusiveness: "He was not on the phone... extremely disciplined" ([10:56], Jack).
  • Mexican government had attempted captures—e.g., 2012 and 2015—but failed due to cartel’s organized response.

• Barriers:

  • Complicity and corruption: "Cartel had tentacles in governments across the nation" ([10:56], Jack).
  • U.S. law enforcement involved, but hindered by leaks and Mexican officials tipping off the cartel ([12:17], Maria).

5. The Operation: How El Mencho Was Caught

• The Raid:

  • Mexican special forces raided a ranch house near Guadalajara; intense firefight ensued ([13:32], Jack).
  • El Mencho, wounded, was airlifted but died en route to hospital ([14:34], Jack).

• Intelligence Breakthrough:

  • Tracked via an associate of one of his lovers—"they got him by following his girlfriend" ([15:10], Natalie/Jack).
  • U.S. intelligence (CIA) provided support—no American boots on the ground.

6. The Fallout: Cartel’s Violent Response

• Immediate Violence:

  • "Massive plumes of smoke darkened the skies" ([15:54], Maria); cars, banks, and supermarkets burned across at least 20 states; 25 National Guard killed.
  • "It was really a day of mayhem." ([15:52], Jack)

• Rapid De-escalation:

  • Surprisingly, "after Sunday, things really have calmed down... Mexico is kind of back to normal" ([16:02], Jack).

7. U.S. Political Pressure & Mexico’s Strategic Calculus

• Trump’s Threats:

  • President Trump has increased pressure, even threatening unilateral U.S. military strikes if Mexico doesn’t act ([20:04], Jack).
  • President Sheinbaum feels this is "a red line that cannot be crossed" and is eager to show Mexico can handle its own problems.

• Political Cover:

  • Trump’s threats "[give] her political cover to do what she may want to do anyway" ([22:48], Natalie).
  • "That is exactly the theory we're hearing... she can go back to her political party and say, I don't have any choice." ([23:28], Jack)

• Narcos’ Calculus:

  • Cartel violence de-escalated partly out of fear of U.S. intervention—"They gave the same reason that the government officials are giving, which is the capture of Maduro changed the game for us." ([24:51], Jack)

8. What’s Next: Cartel Succession, Fracture, and the Long War

• Succession Struggle:

  • With no clear family heir, a group of 4–5 commanders may fight for control—risk of the cartel fracturing and sparking more violence ([26:11], Maria).

• The Long Road Ahead:

  • Restoring state authority is "not a one-year project. It is a ten-year project, maybe more." ([27:44], Maria)
  • True progress requires tackling governmental corruption, not just focusing on cartel leaders ([28:27], Jack).

• U.S. Goalposts:

  • Trump remains unsatisfied: "Less than 24 hours after the Mexican government killed El Mencho... Trump posted online, quote, 'Mexico must step up their efforts on cartel and drugs.'" ([29:44], Jack)
  • Ongoing pressure may help, but risks inflaming the situation if it escalates to unilateral action ([31:01], Jack).

Notable Quotes

• On El Mencho’s stature:
  "He was arguably the single biggest criminal in the world... It's hard to overstate the importance and significance of this figure."
  — Jack Nikas [02:11]

• On cartel violence:
  "There were reports of cannibalism. You're a recruit, and guess what? You've got to eat somebody. Somebody who had betrayed the cartel."
  — Maria Abi Habib [07:22]

• On the cartel as a shadow state:
  "They are also, in a way, a state actor. They have their tentacles in the state governments and in the local governments across the country..."
  — Jack Nikas [09:53]

• On the operation to capture El Mencho:
  "It came down to his lover, but it also appears there was important information coming from the CIA."
  — Jack Nikas [15:12]

• On Trump’s pressure:
  "He does not want any more of the same excuses. He's saying the Mexican government must solve its cartel problems or the US military will do it."
  — Jack Nikas [20:04]

• On enduring challenge:
  "It is a day to day battle. It is not a one year project. It is a ten year project, maybe more."
  — Maria Abi Habib [27:44]

• On the moving U.S. goalposts:
  "'Less than 24 hours after the Mexican government killed El Mencho... Trump posted online, quote, 'Mexico must step up their efforts on cartel and drugs.'"
  — Jack Nikas [29:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• El Mencho's significance and cartel background: [02:11]–[09:39]
• Cartel business diversification, corruption: [09:09]–[10:56]
• Government inaction, challenges to capture: [10:56]–[13:09]
• Operation breakdown—raid and aftermath: [13:32]–[15:27]
• Cartel’s violent response: [15:52]–[16:02]
• Global and political context—Trump’s influence: [17:40]–[24:18]
• Cartel succession and war outlook: [26:11]–[27:44]
• Ten-year project and obstacles to reform: [27:44]–[30:51]

Tone and Style

As in all episodes of The Daily, the conversation is brisk but nuanced, with reporters offering sharp analysis, vivid storytelling, and candid assessments of both violence and political intrigue. There is an undercurrent of urgency—reflecting the stakes for both Mexico and the U.S.—tinged with cautious realism about the daunting road ahead. The episode mixes narrative, investigative detail, and geopolitical framing while keeping a conversational, accessible tone.