Drug lord 'El Mencho' killed in Mexican military operation
Mexico City (ANTARA) — Mexican Army Special Forces killed seven members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), including its leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” during a military operation in Jalisco on Sunday (22 February).
The Ministry of Defence stated the operation was carried out in Tapalpa, a CJNG stronghold, with support from the National Guard, national intelligence, the Attorney General’s Office, and Air Force aircraft to apprehend Oseguera.
According to the ministry, military personnel came under attack and returned fire in self-defence. Four CJNG members were killed at the scene, whilst three others died during air evacuation to Mexico City.
One of those killed was Ruben “N,” alias Mencho, though his identity is still awaiting forensic confirmation.
Two cartel members were arrested, whilst weapons and armoured vehicles, including anti-aircraft rocket launchers, were seized. Three special forces members were wounded.
The operation was conducted based on intelligence from US authorities within a bilateral cooperation framework.
The US and Mexico had previously offered rewards of US$15 million and 300 million pesos respectively — totalling approximately Rp493.5 billion — for information leading to Oseguera’s capture.
Oseguera, a former police officer, led CJNG from its inception as a splinter group of the Milenio Cartel, building it into one of Mexico’s most brutal and powerful criminal organisations with a global drug trafficking network.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro issued a red alert, suspending public transport, cancelling public events, and halting in-person schooling on Monday.
Mexico’s Security Cabinet deployed additional forces. Airports remained operational, though most departures from Puerto Vallarta were cancelled.
Several governments have issued warnings to their citizens in Mexico.
The US urged its nationals to shelter in place in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, parts of Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called the operation “a major development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” whilst acknowledging retaliatory violence.
Canada warned of violence and blockades in Jalisco and advised its citizens in Puerto Vallarta to remain vigilant. Air Canada suspended flights due to the security situation.
Meanwhile, the Mexican Embassy in the US denied claims circulating on social media that the CJNG would attack civilians, calling them disinformation.