The reported killing of Mexican cartel leader El Mencho has sparked renewed comparisons with Pablo Escobar, a name that has long been synonymous with the global drug trade.
Though separated by decades and operating in different countries, both men led criminal organisations that fundamentally reshaped drug trafficking routes and left deep, lasting scars on their nations. Over time, their actions became entwined with myth and legend, giving rise to larger-than-life narratives that blur the line between fact and fiction.
Yet behind the folklore lies a far more complex and brutal reality, defined by extreme violence, corruption, and the far-reaching social consequences of their empires.
The Rise of a Modern Cartel Boss
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, emerged from regional drug networks in Mexico during the 1990s before rising to lead the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Under his leadership, the group grew into one of Mexico's most heavily armed and expansionist criminal organisations. Authorities have described the cartel as adopting paramilitary-style tactics, including armoured convoys, high-calibre weapons and carefully produced propaganda videos designed to project power.
A defining moment came in 2015, when cartel operatives shot down a Mexican military helicopter during a confrontation with security forces, an escalation that underscored the scale of the threat posed by the group.
Over time, El Mencho's ability to evade capture helped fuel an aura of near invisibility. Rumours circulated that he used disguises, altered his appearance or hid in remote mountain regions. While he remained elusive for years, analysts say much of this mystique reflects operational secrecy rather than extraordinary measures.
Pablo Escobar and the Origins of Narco Mythology
Decades earlier, Pablo Escobar had already become the archetype of the modern drug lord. As head of Colombia's Medellín Cartel in the 1980s, he oversaw an operation that controlled a significant share of the global cocaine trade.
Escobar's rise was marked by extreme violence. Bombings, assassinations and kidnappings destabilised Colombia and brought the country international attention. Judges, journalists and politicians were among those targeted in campaigns intended to pressure the state.
His wealth and notoriety later gave rise to enduring stories. Some accounts claim he burnt stacks of cash to keep his daughter warm while in hiding, or that large portions of his fortune remain buried across Colombia. Others point to the so-called 'cocaine hippos' descended from animals kept at his former estate.
In parts of Medellín, Escobar is still remembered by some as a benefactor who funded housing and football pitches in poor neighbourhoods. Historians, however, stress that such narratives coexist with the reality of thousands of deaths linked to his criminal empire.
How Myths Take Hold
Both men illustrate how criminal figures can become mythologised over time. In Mexico, ballads known as narcocorridos have helped shape public perceptions of cartel leaders, often portraying them as disciplined or defiant figures.
Researchers note that myths often flourish in regions where state authority is weak. Criminal groups may provide money, protection or local influence, creating a mix of fear and loyalty that reinforces their reputations.
