The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, was killed on Sunday during a military operation in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexican authorities announced.
The raid sparked widespread violence, with cartel members torching vehicles, blocking highways, and clashing with security forces across multiple states, including Michoacan, Guanajuato, and Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara.
Who was El Mencho?
El Mencho, 59, originally from Aguililla, Michoacan, was a former police officer who became the head of CJNG, considered one of Mexico’s “most powerful and ruthless criminal organisations,” according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
He had been involved in drug trafficking since the 1990s and was wanted by US authorities, who offered a $15 million bounty for information leading to his arrest. In his early years, Oseguera was convicted in the US for conspiracy to distribute heroin and served nearly three years in prison before returning to Mexico to rejoin organized crime under Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, alias “Nacho Coronel.”
Following Coronel’s death, El Mencho co-founded CJNG with Erik Valencia Salazar, alias “El 85,” in 2007. The cartel later split from the Sinaloa Cartel and became a dominant force in Mexico’s drug trade, responsible for trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States.
Military operation and retaliatory violence
The Mexican military operation resulted in the death of El Mencho and four CJNG members. The ensuing unrest paralyzed parts of western Mexico: roads were blocked by burning cars, public transportation was suspended, and flights in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta were canceled.
Videos on social media showed smoke over Puerto Vallarta and panicked civilians running through the airport. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to stay home, and the Mexican government said state authorities were coordinating with federal forces to restore order.
US and Canada issue warnings
The US State Department warned citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon to remain in safe locations. Citizens were advised to avoid crowds, minimize unnecessary travel, monitor local media, and follow instructions from local authorities. The Canadian embassy issued similar advice for residents in Puerto Vallarta.
US role in the operation
A US-military-led task force, the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JITF-CC), provided intelligence support to the Mexican military. A US defense official confirmed the task force had helped map El Mencho’s network, though the raid itself was led entirely by Mexican forces.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called El Mencho’s death a “great development” for both Mexico and the United States, highlighting the operation as a significant blow against drug cartels operating across the US-Mexico border.
Legacy of El Mencho and CJNG
El Mencho, born Rubén Oseguera Cervantes and later adopting the name Nemesio in honor of his godfather, became a notorious figure in international organized crime. However, it is unknown who the godfather is. Under his leadership, CJNG expanded rapidly, rivaling former allies in the Sinaloa Cartel and becoming known for brutal enforcement tactics and territorial expansion.
Experts, including Vanda Felbab-Brown, warn that the killing may trigger further violence, similar to previous high-profile arrests of cartel leaders like Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said state governments were coordinating to restore order and emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure “peace, security, justice, and the well-being of Mexico.”
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