The U.S. National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) has exposed a horrifying operation in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, where a faction of the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) allegedly murdered pregnant women to harvest organs and sell their babies to U.S. couples. The revelation underscores the growing brutality of Mexico’s cartel-terror networks and their diversification into human trafficking.
The case centers on Martha Alicia “La Diabla” Mendez Aguilar, who was arrested earlier this month by Mexican authorities following intelligence provided by U.S. agencies. According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, La Diabla’s network lured poor, expectant mothers with false promises of medical care. Instead, the women were killed during forced C-sections, their organs harvested, and their newborns sold for as much as 250,000 pesos ($14,500).
“This is one example of what terrorist cartels will do to diversify their revenue streams and finance operations,” NCTC Director Joe Kent said in a statement. He credited coordinated intelligence operations for identifying La Diabla’s location and enabling joint U.S.-Mexican enforcement action.
Investigators in Juárez later discovered multiple victims from low-income families among the bodies recovered. Reports from Infobae.com indicated that many of the babies were sold to U.S. couples, with gay couples cited as frequent clients of the illicit trade.
The revelations highlight a disturbing escalation in cartel violence and criminal enterprise. Earlier this year, the U.S. government officially labeled CJNG and five other cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, calling for their eradication. These cartels, once focused primarily on narcotics, now fund their operations through extortion, human trafficking, and in this case, gruesome black-market organ harvesting.
The case has also exposed deep corruption within Mexico’s judicial system. Journalist Luis Chaparro reported that the Juárez Cartel is attempting to bribe local officials to secure La Diabla’s release, raising fears that justice may be undermined. Court proceedings have been tightly controlled, with limited press access, prompting concerns about transparency.
The scandal is the latest example of the growing nexus between terrorism, organized crime, and human rights abuses on the U.S.-Mexico border. With cartel factions operating as paramilitary organizations and exploiting weak governance, officials warn that similar atrocities could spread unless decisive action is taken.
