A Precision Strike Ends a Long Hunt (Image Credits: Flickr)
Jalisco, Mexico – Security forces eliminated Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a raid on Sunday.[1][2]
A Precision Strike Ends a Long Hunt
Mexican Army Special Forces launched the operation in Tapalpa, a rural area southwest of Guadalajara, after intelligence pinpointed El Mencho’s location.[1] Troops encountered heavy resistance as cartel gunmen opened fire. El Mencho sustained serious wounds in the shootout and died while airlifted to Mexico City for treatment.[2]
Defense Secretary General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo detailed how authorities tracked a romantic partner of the kingpin to the site on Friday, confirming his presence the next day.[1] Eight cartel members perished in the clash, alongside seizures of armored vehicles and rocket launchers. Three soldiers suffered injuries but received care.[3] President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the forces for their success while urging calm amid the fallout.[3]
From Humble Beginnings to Cartel Empire
El Mencho, 59, hailed from Aguililla in Michoacán and entered drug trafficking in the 1990s. He served nearly three years in a U.S. prison for heroin conspiracy before returning to Mexico.[2] There, he aligned with Sinaloa Cartel figures like Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, later co-founding the CJNG around 2010 after a split.[4]
The CJNG grew into one of Mexico’s most violent groups, dominating fentanyl and methamphetamine production while expanding into extortion and fuel theft. Its operatives downed a military helicopter in 2015 and pioneered drone explosives.[4] The U.S. offered a $15 million bounty and designated the cartel a terrorist organization.[3]
- Trafficked massive fentanyl loads to all 50 U.S. states.
- Clashed aggressively with rivals and authorities using military-grade weapons.
- Controlled territories through terror in small towns.
- Attempted high-profile assassinations, including in Mexico City.
Retaliation Grips the Nation
Hours after the raid, CJNG allies erupted in fury across 20 states, erecting over 250 roadblocks with burning tires, buses, and spikes.[3] Arson targeted banks, pharmacies, and supermarkets in Jalisco, Michoacán, and beyond. Guadalajara resembled a ghost town as shops shuttered and transport halted.[2]
Subsequent clashes claimed 25 National Guard lives, one prison guard, and 30 criminals in Jalisco alone.[1] Puerto Vallarta, a tourist haven, saw smoke plumes and flight cancellations, stranding hundreds.[3] Authorities arrested 25 suspects for violence and looting. By Monday, most blockades cleared, though tensions lingered.[1]
U.S. Ties and Future Uncertainty
American intelligence proved crucial, though no U.S. troops participated.[1] White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hailed the action against the fentanyl trafficker.[2] Experts anticipate a CJNG power struggle, potentially fueling more bloodshed.[5]
Mexico deployed thousands of reinforcements. Schools closed, events canceled, and embassies warned citizens to shelter.[2] Sheinbaum insisted normalcy prevailed in most areas.
Key Takeaways
- Mexican forces confirmed El Mencho’s death after a decade-long manhunt.
- CJNG retaliation killed dozens and paralyzed key regions.
- U.S.-Mexico cooperation highlighted bilateral anti-cartel efforts.
This strike marks a pivotal moment in Mexico’s drug war, yet the cartel’s resilience raises questions about lasting peace. What long-term changes will it bring? Tell us in the comments.
