CJNG's Training Ranch: A Month of Isolation and Brutal Indoctrination in Jalisco
The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Omar García Harfuch, is currently unveiling the disturbing details of the training regimen at the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlán, Jalisco. According to García Harfuch, recruits are enduring a month-long period of complete isolation, undergoing intense physical conditioning, weapons training, and psychological manipulation designed to transform them into dedicated members of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). The revelations are coming to light during La Mañanera del Pueblo at Palacio Nacional, sparking widespread concern and prompting further investigation into the CJNG's recruitment and operational tactics.
Inside the Izaguirre Ranch: A Glimpse into the CJNG's Recruitment Process
According to the SSPC, the Izaguirre ranch is functioning as a central hub for the CJNG's recruitment and training efforts. Recruits are reportedly stripped of their personal belongings, issued tactical clothing, and subjected to a rigorous indoctrination process. This includes not only physical and weapons training but also psychological manipulation aimed at fostering unwavering loyalty to the cartel. The process, as described by García Harfuch, is illustrating a deliberate effort to dehumanize and reprogram individuals, turning them into obedient enforcers for the CJNG.
«The indoctrination at the ranch includes weapons handling and physical conditioning. Recruits are stripped of their belongings and uniformed with tactical clothing,» García Harfuch stated, as reported by Milenio (https://www.milenio.com/politica/sspc-revela-como-era-entrenamiento-rancho-izaguirre-teuchitlan).
Brutality and Control: Methods of Ensuring Loyalty
The training is allegedly characterized by brutality and control. Those who resist or attempt to escape face severe consequences, including physical abuse and torture. García Harfuch is detailing instances where recruits were killed for defying the cartel's authority, highlighting the extreme measures taken to maintain order and prevent desertion. The use of violence and intimidation underscores the CJNG's ruthless approach to ensuring absolute loyalty and obedience from its members.
The Role of 'El Lastra' in CJNG Recruitment
José Gregorio 'N', also known as 'El Lastra' or 'Comandante Lastra,' is being identified as the key figure responsible for recruitment at the Izaguirre ranch. According to authorities, 'El Lastra' is overseeing the entire training operation, managing the indoctrination process, and assigning recruits to various roles within the organization based on their perceived skills and aptitudes. The apprehension of 'El Lastra' is now a top priority for law enforcement, as his capture is expected to disrupt the CJNG's recruitment pipeline and provide valuable insights into the cartel's operational structure.
Milenio indicates that «'El Lastra' was the recruitment manager and was in charge of the training center at the Izaguirre Ranch» (Domínguez, 2024). His role is crucial in the CJNG's strategy.
False Promises and Online Recruitment
The CJNG is apparently utilizing social media to lure unsuspecting individuals with false promises of employment. These deceptive offers, often advertised in closed groups, portray seemingly legitimate security guard positions with salaries ranging from four thousand to twelve thousand pesos. However, those who respond to these ads are unknowingly entering a dangerous trap, ultimately being coerced into joining the ranks of the CJNG.
Cyber Patrol
The SSPC is currently intensifying its efforts to combat online recruitment by actively monitoring social media platforms and shutting down accounts associated with the CJNG's recruitment activities. According to García Harfuch, the SSPC's cybercrime unit has successfully shut down 39 pages related to recruitment, significantly hindering the cartel's ability to attract new members through online channels. This proactive approach is showing the government's commitment to disrupting the CJNG's operations and protecting vulnerable individuals from falling prey to their deceptive tactics.
According to a tweet by García Harfuch (@OHarfuch), the SSPC's cyber unit is actively working to dismantle online recruitment networks used by organized crime. «The Cyber Research and Patrol area of the @SSPCMexico carried out the search and analysis of profiles on social networks related to recruitment for organized crime activities, which allowed the removal of 39 pages on social networks.»
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the Izaguirre ranch and the CJNG's recruitment practices is actively ongoing. Authorities are actively seeking to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the training operation, as well as those responsible for recruiting new members. The SSPC is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence, track down suspects, and dismantle the CJNG's network of recruitment and training facilities. The ultimate goal is to dismantle the CJNG's organizational structure and bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice.
Implications and Future Actions
The revelations about the Izaguirre ranch are exposing the CJNG's ruthless tactics and its willingness to exploit vulnerable individuals. The government is under increasing pressure to take decisive action to combat the cartel's influence and protect citizens from their violence. The SSPC is expected to announce new strategies and initiatives aimed at disrupting the CJNG's operations, strengthening border security, and providing support to communities affected by cartel violence. The fight against organized crime is entering a new phase, requiring a coordinated effort from all levels of government, as well as the active participation of civil society.
