The army of Mexico announced this Sunday that he killed the powerful drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera “El Mencho”leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) during a violent operation in the state of Jalisco.
“El Mencho”, 59 years old, was one of the most wanted bosses in Mexico and the United States, who offered a reward of 15 million dollars. He is one of the most important drug leaders to be killed after the arrest of the founders of the Sinaloa Cartel, Joaquín Guzmán “El Chapo” and Ismael “Mayo” Zambada, currently in prison in the United States.
The army said in a statement that “Mencho” was injured in a confrontation with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco (west), and died “during his transfer by air to Mexico City.”
The army added that, for the execution of this operation, “in addition to the central military intelligence work” (…) “complementary information was available” from US authorities.
In total, seven criminals died and three soldiers were injured.. Two members of the were CJNG They were detained and various weapons were seized, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft and destroying armored vehicles, according to the same source.
Armed individuals blocked different roads with burned cars and trucks. Jaliscoin response to the operation of federal forces in the region. In the afternoon, remains of burned-out vehicles and others still on fire could be seen on several roads, amidst the sound of security force sirens.
The authorities have indicated that 21 road blockades are still active. The army added that military elements are concentrated in the states surrounding Jalisco “to reinforce security.”
A burning truck, set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco that ended in the death of El Mencho, leader of the CJNG. (Photo by Ulises RUIZ / AFP).
/ ULISES RUIZ
United States authorities applauded the operation in which Nemesio Oseguera was killed.
“I have been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho’, one of the most bloodthirsty drug lords,” Christopher Landau, Undersecretary of State of that country, said on the X network.
“This is a great milestone for Mexico, the United States, Latin America and the world (…). The good ones are more than the bad ones. Congratulations to the law enforcement forces of the great Mexican nation,” he added.
The death of “Mencho” occurs amid pressure from the government of US President Donald Trump for Mexico to stop the shipment of drugs, particularly fentanyl, to his country.
Trump has threatened on several occasions with tariffs on Mexican exports, pointing out that President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government has not done enough to combat drug trafficking.
A member of the Guadalajara Fire Department tries to put out a burning vehicle this Sunday in Guadalajara, Mexico. (EFE/ Francisco Guasco).
The blockades also extended to the neighboring state of Michoacán, where Oseguera’s group has a presence.
Local authorities have recommended the population not to leave their homes. Jalisco will receive four matches of the 2026 Soccer World Cup.
The “Mencho” cartel was formed in 2009 and became one of the most violent drug trafficking gangs in Mexico, according to information from the US Department of Justice.
The United States has named that cartel a terrorist organization and accuses it of trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Oseguera is also an old acquaintance of the current federal Public Security Secretary, Omar García Harfuch.
On June 20, 2020, “Mencho” ordered an unprecedented armed assault against Harfuch in the streets of Mexico City. The official was injured and three people died, including two bodyguards.
