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

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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.

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Henry Larson

Patrick Jarenwattananon

Mary Louise Kelly

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

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