Drug lord “El Mencho” killed in military operation in Mexico

International Desk
Mexico’s most notorious drug cartel leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” has been killed in a military operation, the country’s Defense Ministry confirmed. He was the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which is involved in large-scale drug trafficking to the United States.

The Defense Ministry said that during the arrest operation, the army exchanged fire with cartel members in the city of Tapalpa, Jalisco state. Four cartel members were killed and three soldiers were wounded in the clash. El Mencho was captured seriously injured, but died on the way to the capital, Mexico City.

The operation, which involved special forces, the air force and the National Guard, recovered armored vehicles and heavy weapons, and Mexican authorities said U.S. intelligence helped in the operation.

In retaliation, cartel members set fire to cars, set up roadblocks and attacked security forces in eight states. Citizens were ordered to stay indoors in several areas, including Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo León.

President Claudia Sheinbaum urged people to remain calm, saying most areas were operating normally. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro issued a red alert and ordered public transportation to be closed.

El Mencho, 59, was a former police officer who later built a vast drug trafficking network. The cartel made a fortune smuggling cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States. A $15 million reward was offered for information leading to his capture.

Smoke plumes were seen in several cities, including Guadalajara and the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, after the violent incident. Many tourists were stranded in the resort area of ​​Puerto Vallarta and several international airlines canceled flights.

Former US ambassador Christopher Landau described El Mencho’s death on social media as an important development for Mexico and the international community.

Analysts say the cartel has been a major force in Mexico’s violence and drug trafficking for years. But despite its leader’s death, there are doubts about whether the organization will completely collapse. Security forces are now focusing on containing retaliatory attacks.