A gruesome event unfolded in Tijuana, Baja California, when authorities discovered a lifeless body hanging from a bridge on the morning of March 6, 2025. The body, identified as that of a man, was accompanied by a banner believed to be from the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), indicating a violent message directed at rival gangs.
According to local reports, police received notifications of the sighting at 6:40 AM on the Tijuana-Tecate highway near Paseo San Pedro. Upon arrival, officers confirmed the victim exhibited clear signs of violence. The banner, which referenced an individual known as “Cabezón,” or “big head” in English, contained an ominous message, taunting rivals and declaring, “What’s up, bast*** … here I’m leaving your people for you, big head!!! The one in charge with your ranchero. FROM: CJNG.”
Approximately 100 metres from the bridge, state agents uncovered a black plastic box with a yellow lid containing human remains, as reported by the local newspaper Zeta. Authorities quickly cordoned off the area to conduct a thorough investigation, though details about the victim and the cause of death remain undisclosed.
This incident adds to the alarming violence in Tijuana, which has recorded over 40 homicides in March alone. The trend of displaying bodies in public places as a warning to rivals is not uncommon among criminal organizations in Mexico. In June 2024, a shocking discovery was made in Culiacán, Sinaloa, where 20 bodies were found on a highway overpass, some decapitated.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, established in 2009 as a splinter group from the Milenio Cartel, is led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as El Mencho. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has identified Cervantes as one of its most wanted individuals, offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently released information indicating a significant reduction in daily homicides, reporting a 40 percent drop since she took office. The government recorded 17.5 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2025, a decline from 29.1 in 2018 and 25.4 in 2024. Despite these statistics, the ongoing violence remains a pressing concern, particularly with the looming threats from organized crime.
In a related context, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that military action against drug cartels could be a possibility following recent operations in the Pacific and Caribbean. Sheinbaum emphasized her opposition to any foreign military intervention, stating that the deployment of U.S. troops in Mexico was “not on the table.” She discussed various topics with Trump, including security and the reduction of drug trafficking, highlighting the need for respect for national sovereignty.
As investigations continue and authorities work to secure the region, the chilling message left by the CJNG underscores the persistent violence and complex challenges facing law enforcement in Mexico.
