A prominent Mexican drug cartel has left a deceased individual hanging from a bridge, accompanied by a menacing message.
The lifeless body of a man was found on a bridge in Tijuana, Baja California, in the northwest of Mexico on Wednesday morning. A banner, believed to be from the infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was discovered beside the victim. Reports came in at 6:40 am about the incident on the Tijuana-Tecate highway and Paseo San Pedro, as reported by the local newspaper Zeta. Law enforcement verified that the victim displayed evident signs of violence.
The banner referenced an individual called “Cabezón,” meaning “big head” or “stubborn” in Spanish, and indicated that he was being left for his associates. The message on the banner read, “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 meters away from the bridge, state agents discovered a black plastic box with a yellow lid containing human remains, according to Zeta.
Authorities sealed off the area for investigations and to secure the scene. Further information regarding the victim or the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Tijuana has already witnessed over 40 homicides this month, including this incident. Zeta reports that criminal groups often display the bodies of their adversaries in public areas for public viewing. In June last year, 20 bodies were found on a highway overpass in Culiacán, Sinaloa, some of them decapitated. The Sinaloa Attorney General’s Office reported the discovery of four decapitated bodies and a bag containing five heads on the El Semanario overpass.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel was established in 2009, originating from the Milenio Cartel as a breakaway faction led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.” Cervantes is identified as one of the most wanted criminals by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with the US Department of State offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture or conviction.
Recently, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed new data indicating a 40% decrease in daily homicides since she assumed office, amid pressure from the Trump administration to combat organized crime.
Mexico registered 17.5 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2025, as per government statistics. This marks a decline from 29.1 per 100,000 in 2018 and 25.4 per 100,000 in 2024.
Sheinbaum’s administration has extradited numerous cartel leaders to the US and collaborated on border security but strongly opposes any foreign military intervention. US President Donald Trump mentioned plans for land assaults against drug cartels following recent US operations in the Pacific and Caribbean.
On Monday, Sheinbaum clarified that she informed Trump that any US military deployment to Mexico was not under consideration when he offered to send troops for assistance. She mentioned on social media, “We discussed various topics, including security with respect for our sovereignties, reducing drug trafficking, trade, and investments.”