CJNG’s Rosca de Reyes Distribution in Tabasco Sparks National Debate adn Government Response
On the afternoon of Three Kings Day, a surreal scene unfolded in several communities across Tabasco, Mexico. About twenty quiet neighbors, some holding children’s hands, gathered under spotlights as members of the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG) distributed roscas de Reyes and gifts. A voice echoed through the crowd: “Gentlemen, this gift is without obligation, it is indeed only to steal a smile from the children and support you. We are at your service, this gift is sent to you by Mr. 88, we are from the Jalisco Cartel. What we want is to help them, we want to support them and we are here to take care of them, not to screw them, okay? This gift is sent to you by the gentleman on behalf of the company.”
the recordings of these events, shared widely on social media, have ignited a national debate and drawn sharp criticism from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Speaking from the National Palace, she condemned the cartel’s actions, stating, “It is up to us to avoid and pay full attention to the causes so that there is no apology for violence. We build peace. Our task is to prevent any young person, citizen, boy or girl from seeing a outlook of life in violence or a criminal group, as it is indeed not a perspective of life, it is a perspective of death.”
The Tabasco state government has responded by deploying the National Guard and the Ministry of Public Security to investigate the incident. José Ramiro López Obrador, Secretary of State government and brother of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, described the CJNG’s actions as a direct challenge to the government’s anti-crime efforts. “Results are being given, and this is in response to the results that are being given. Delinquency,organized crime,is being tightened,” he said during a security meeting.
A State in Turmoil
Tabasco, once a relatively peaceful state, has been thrust into the spotlight as violence escalates. Since December 2023, a reorganization of criminal groups has led to a surge in homicides, making 2024 the deadliest year in the state in over a decade. According to the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, 1,089 homicides were recorded in Tabasco last year, a staggering figure for a population of 2.2 million.
The violence has been fueled by disputes over control of migrant smuggling routes, especially following a split within the local criminal group La Barredora in December 2023. This fragmentation has pitted local groups against each other and against the CJNG, which now controls 63% of Tabasco’s territory, according to reports.
The CJNG’s Strategy: Altruism or Control?
The CJNG’s distribution of roscas de reyes and toys has been interpreted by experts as a calculated move to gain community support and assert dominance.In one delivery, a cartel member identified as “pure people from 88” addressed the crowd: “we came to support them and to take care of them, not to rob them like the people who were here.We are a serious and honest company. This is a little detail that Mr. 88 sends you, on behalf of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, we are not asking you for anything.Without commitment to anything.”
However, this apparent altruism is overshadowed by the cartel’s violent tactics. In recent months, narcomantas—threatening banners—have appeared in Macuspana, the hometown of former President López Obrador. Signed by Commander 88, these messages warn locals to align wiht the CJNG or face dire consequences. “We are already in Macuspana. The plaza already has an owner, the vendors have 24 hours to line up or the same thing will happen,” read one banner, accompanied by several bodies.
A Broader Context of Violence
Mexico’s escalating violence has drawn international attention. According to ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data), Mexico is now the fourth country with the most extreme level of conflict in the world. The institution’s report highlights the consequences of criminal fragmentation in Tabasco, where disputes over smuggling routes have intensified.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Event | CJNG distributes roscas de Reyes and toys in Tabasco. |
| Government Response | National Guard and Public security deployed; President Sheinbaum condemns. |
| Violence in Tabasco | 1,089 homicides in 2024; CJNG controls 63% of the state. |
| CJNG’s Message | “We are here to take care of them, not to screw them.” |
| Threats | Narcomantas in Macuspana warn locals to align with CJNG. |
Conclusion
The CJNG’s distribution of roscas de Reyes in Tabasco is a stark reminder of the complex dynamics of organized crime in Mexico. While the cartel presents itself as a benefactor,its actions are part of a broader strategy to consolidate power and intimidate rivals.As the government grapples with this challenge, the people of Tabasco remain caught in the crossfire of a deepening crisis.
For more insights into Mexico’s ongoing struggle with cartel violence, explore how the country became the fourth most conflict-ridden nation in the world.
