Juan Carlos Valencia González (Juan Carlos Valencia González), known as El Pelón, is the subject of a US manhunt in connection with an international drug trafficking case. In August 2026, the US Department of Justice reported that, according to court documents, he had assumed a leadership role within the CJNG following the death of Nemesio Oségera Cervantes. [1][2]
Brief profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name in sources | Juan Carlos Valencia González |
| Date of birth | 1984 — according to the DEA file |
| Jurisdiction and international links | Mexico; USA |
| Legal status | Listed on the DEA’s wanted list; facing criminal charges in the US |
| Other names and aliases | El Pelón; Pelon; R-3; Tricky; Tres 03 |
What are the US charges?
The published indictment relates to a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for illegal importation into the US. It also alleges the use of firearms, including a machine gun, in connection with the alleged drug trafficking. [1][2]
The Department of Justice refers to Valencia González as El Mencho’s stepson and describes him as one of the cartel’s leaders. This is the version attributed by the US authorities, rather than a conviction cited in the source. [1][2]
Reward and aliases
The current DEA wanted notice offers a reward of up to $25 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. His aliases include Pelón, R-3, Tricky and Tres 03. The notice places the case under federal jurisdiction in the District of Columbia. [1][2]
Timeline of the case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 05.08.2026 | The Department of Justice announced updated arrest warrants and a reward. |
Verified on 4 November 2026. The stage of the case is indicated according to the sources cited; charges and allegations do not constitute a conviction.
