Who Are ‘La Fresa’ and ‘El Serio’? Potential Successors in the CJNG
The recent capture of Audias Flores Silva, known as El Jardinero, has created a significant power vacuum within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). His arrest on April 27, 2026, saw him captured after a heavily armed standoff in the mountains of Nayarit, defended by dozens of hitmen. This left many questioning who might step into his shoes.
The Importance of El Jardinero
El Jardinero was more than just a regional leader; he was the right hand of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. He had cultivated a robust network, giving him the influence to operate almost independently within the cartel structure. His operations spanned several key regions, including Nayarit, Jalisco, and Michoacán, leading major trafficking routes and overseeing extortion networks across the country.
Who Is La Fresa?
One of the foremost candidates believed to take over is Raúl Morín, known as La Fresa. Reports suggest that he has been pivotal in managing drug routes and overseeing illicit operations in areas like Ixtlán del Río. His relatively quiet profile has been effective in helping him avoid scrutiny while executing essential cartel responsibilities.
La Fresa’s Operations
According to DEA reports from April 2026, La Fresa is considered a lieutenant of El Jardinero. His operations include collecting floor fees and managing drug logistics. While not much is personally known about him, the implications of his involvement are significant, hinting at deep-rooted connections within the cartel’s inner workings.
Meet El Serio
Another potential successor is Francisco Jaramillo Valdovinos, alias El Serio. He is renowned for his crucial role in expanding the CJNG’s reach into Guerrero, Morelos, and Zacatecas.
El Serio’s Criminal Network
El Serio has reportedly led armed factions, including a group known as “The Series,” and has been instrumental in coordinating money laundering operations. Despite past reports of his death following an attack in Oaxaca in 2023, investigations later revealed he had survived.
Impact of Operation Night
Between 2023 and 2025, U.S. authorities initiated “Operation Night,” targeting El Serio’s extensive money-laundering networks. This operation led to significant arrests and the seizure of various forms of contraband. El Serio’s financial maneuvers have often entailed elaborate schemes involving everyday items like cell phones to facilitate the movement of illicit funds internationally.
Conclusion: Future of CJNG Leadership
The power struggle within the CJNG post-El Jardinero’s arrest continues to unfold. While La Fresa and El Serio emerge as strong candidates for leadership, the cartel’s structure is large enough to support multiple contenders. Other notable figures in the CJNG’s hierarchy, like Alberto Pineda (alias The Cheneke) and The Russian, are also potential players in this high-stakes game of succession.
As authorities continue to monitor these developments, the CJNG’s direction in the face of leadership change remains critical. Understanding the intricacies of these potential successors is essential for grasping the future landscape of organized crime in Mexico.