Now that the Mendez Vargas family is back in the news, let’s take a look at prominent members of this organized crime family:

Jose de Jesus “Chango” Mendez Vargas
- A leader of LFM (2000s-2011?)
- From December 2010-2011, Chango served as the top leader of LFM after Nazario “Chayo” Moreno Gonzalez, Servando “Tuta” Gomez Martinez, Enrique “Kike” Plancarte Solis, and Dionisio “Tio” Loya Plancarte formed the Caballeros Templarios (CT)
- Arrested in June 2011 and extradited in 2025
- Named as a leader of Los Mendez in March 2025 CJNG video, could have continued to be involved in trafficking while in prison in Mexico (likely via his relatives that remain free)

Antonio “Toño” Mendez Vargas
- Brother of Chango and a high-level LFM member, appears to have taken over Chango’s role after Chango’s arrest 
- Named in August 2011 mantas wherein CT offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Toño 
- Allegedly a member of Cartel H3/La Tercera Hermandad during the Autodefensas—CT war
- Named as a leader of Los Mendez in March 2025 CJNG video

Jose “Pepe” Mendez Vargas
- Brother of Chango and a high-level LFM member
- Photographed meeting with Eloy Peralta Mora (subsecretary of Public Security of Michoacán) in June 2011
- Named in January 2016 manta blaming Pepe and others for the murder of Carlos “Tisico” Rosales
- Allegedly a member of Cartel H3/La Tercera Hermandad during the Autodefensas—CT war
- Named as a leader of Los Mendez in March 2025 CJNG video

FNU “Godo/Gordo” Mendez Vargas
- Brother of Chango, named as a leader of Los Mendez in March 2025 CJNG video

Berenice “Bere” Mendez Vargas
- Sister of Chango, named as a leader of Los Mendez in March 2025 CJNG video
- Murdered in March 2025 in Queretaro alongside her nephew Changuito (the son of Chango) 

Diego “Changuito” Mendez Velasquez 
- Son of Chango, arrested in Queretaro in 2018 for drug trafficking and weapons offenses
- Lived and owned properties in the municipalities of San Juan del Río and Ezequiel Montes, Queretaro 
- Murdered in March 2025 in Queretaro 