CJNG vs Pájaros Sierra: the generational war for cartel power

In Michoacán, the land that saw the birth of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), tell a story that happened a few years ago. Alejandro García, alias El Pelón, one of the CJNG plaza chiefs took the road to San José de Gracia with his hit men to settle scores. Halfway through Abel Alcantar Vallejo, nicknamed El Viejón and/or El Sierra 8 gave them the order to return. He was one of the ringleaders closest to the Mencho. That day the Old Man drew an invisible line in his territory that had to be respected by anyone in the Pelón.

Alejandro Garcia began his criminal career in the ranks of Los Zetas, but later joined the Michoacán Family and The Knights Templar. In 2010, as head of the CJNG plaza in Mazamitla, Jalisco (western Mexico), El Pelón hired Abel Alcantar as a hitman.

Pelón's power lasted only three years, as he was captured for crimes against health and held in a CERESO in Jalisco. During his time in prison, his shooter El Viejón, rose as head of the criminal organization and struggles, estrangement and betrayals began.

The bloodthirsty incidents between the two criminals even reached their relatives. According to information released by the federal government, in 2018 — when El Pelón was still in prison — Abel Alcatar had García's brother nicknamed El Chocorrol assassinated.

His imminent loss of power in Michoacán forced the Pelón, already at large, to travel to Colima, where he began operating with another criminal group of the CJNG.

In 2021, this leader saw an opportunity for revenge and ordered the assassination of Viejón's brother identified as José Alcantar, El Chepe and/or El Sierra 2.

During the years that El Pelón was in prison, the cell he led suffered friction caused by the encounter of two different criminal mentalities: Alejandro García and Abel Alcantar.

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