Listen to the article
Major Mexican Drug Lord “El Mencho” Killed in Military Operation
Major Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was killed during a military operation Sunday morning, Mexico’s Defense Department announced. The operation marks one of Mexico’s most significant blows against organized crime amid growing pressure from President Donald Trump to intensify crackdowns on drug cartels.
Mexican troops conducted operations in Tapalpa, Jalisco, targeting Oseguera Cervantes, a former police officer who had become the elusive leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). The cartel has emerged as a major supplier of fentanyl to the United States.
“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X. “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”
Oseguera Cervantes, who carried a $15 million U.S. bounty, rose to power following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Over the past 15 years, CJNG transformed from a local criminal group into a global trafficking organization operating primarily from Jalisco state.
The Mexican Defense Department said the operation was conducted as part of bilateral coordination with the United States, which provided complementary intelligence that contributed to Oseguera Cervantes’ capture. According to authorities, the cartel leader was wounded during the operation and died while being transported to Mexico City.
Four others were reportedly killed at the scene of a shootout between Mexican troops and cartel members in Jalisco. Authorities detained two other members of the criminal organization and seized various weapons, including armored vehicles and “rocket launchers capable of downing aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.” Three members of the Mexican armed forces were injured during the operation and are receiving medical treatment.
In the wake of the operation, widespread criminal activity has erupted across Jalisco, the cartel’s stronghold, as well as in northern regions that serve as key border and transit corridors for the organization. The Security Cabinet of the Government of Mexico reported that multiple buildings were damaged during the “violent incidents,” including approximately 20 branches of Banco del Bienestar, a state-run banking institution.
At least 21 highways remain blocked, with authorities reporting that five have been reopened. Photos showed numerous roadblocks and burning vehicles across the country – tactics officials say cartels often use to slow or block military operations. Thick, dark smoke was seen rising over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific Coast in Jalisco.
“I’m watching the scenes of violence from Mexico with great sadness and concern. It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve,” Landau added.
The Mexican National Guard and Army units from central Mexico and states neighboring Jalisco are mobilizing to reinforce security, according to the Defense Department.
“We remain in Code Red. We reiterate the recommendation to avoid leaving your homes. The clashes are occurring in several federal entities,” Jalisco state Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro warned residents.
Travel warnings have been issued for multiple regions including Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas (Reynosa and other municipalities), and parts of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León.
“Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the named locations should shelter in place until further notice,” the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico advised.
The operation against Oseguera follows sustained pressure from the Trump administration on President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government, urging Mexico to intensify its fight against drug trafficking amid threats of potential U.S. intervention if Mexico failed to address cartel violence and drug trafficking.
The elimination of El Mencho represents a significant blow to one of Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations and could potentially reshape the landscape of cartel operations throughout the country, though it may also trigger further violence as rival factions vie for control of CJNG’s extensive criminal networks.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
18 Comments
It’s encouraging to see the Mexican government taking strong action against high-profile cartel leaders like ‘El Mencho’. However, the drug trade is a complex, multi-layered issue that will require a sustained, multifaceted approach to address.
You make a good point. While high-profile arrests are important, a more comprehensive strategy targeting the various aspects of the drug trade is needed for lasting impact. This is a challenging, long-term battle.
Fentanyl is a huge issue fueling the opioid crisis in the US, so disrupting the supply from Mexico is crucial. However, these cartels are resilient and may quickly replace leadership, so continued vigilance is needed.
That’s a good point. Cartels often restructure after losing key figures, so sustained efforts are required to truly weaken their operations over the long term.
The joint US-Mexico operation that resulted in the killing of ‘El Mencho’ highlights the importance of international cooperation in the fight against drug cartels. Coordinated efforts are essential to combat these transnational criminal networks.
Exactly, no single country can effectively tackle the global drug trade alone. This successful joint operation demonstrates the value of intelligence sharing, resource pooling, and strategic coordination between law enforcement agencies across borders.
The death of ‘El Mencho’ is a significant blow to the CJNG cartel, but it remains to be seen how the organization will adapt and respond. Continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies will be crucial going forward.
That’s a valid concern. Cartel leadership changes often don’t cripple the organization’s operations. Sustained pressure and disruption of their finances and supply chains will be needed to truly weaken the CJNG’s influence.
While this is a significant achievement, the drug trade is a complex, multifaceted issue. Tackling the root causes, such as poverty and lack of economic opportunities, may be just as important as law enforcement efforts.
That’s a good observation. Addressing the socioeconomic drivers behind the drug trade is crucial for long-term, sustainable solutions. Enforcement alone is not enough.
The death of ‘El Mencho’ is a symbolic victory, but the CJNG cartel will likely continue its operations under new leadership. Maintaining pressure and disrupting their supply chains will be an ongoing challenge.
You’re right, these cartels have proven to be resilient in the past. Sustained, multifaceted efforts will be needed to truly weaken their power and influence in the region.
The rise of the CJNG cartel and the fentanyl crisis in the US highlights the need for a comprehensive, international approach to tackling the global drug trade. This operation is a step in the right direction.
Absolutely, a coordinated global response is essential to disrupt the supply chains and financial networks of these transnational criminal organizations. No single country can solve this problem alone.
It’s interesting to see the cooperation between US and Mexican forces in this operation. Coordinated international efforts are important to tackle transnational organized crime effectively.
Yes, cross-border collaboration is essential, as drug cartels exploit porous borders and weak points in security. This joint action demonstrates the benefits of intelligence sharing and combined resources.
This is a major victory in the ongoing battle against drug cartels in Mexico. Taking down a powerful kingpin like ‘El Mencho’ can help disrupt the supply chain and operations of these criminal organizations.
Agreed, this arrest could have a significant impact on the drug trade and violence in the region. It’s important that governments maintain pressure on these cartels.