Mexican Cartel Boss 'El Mencho' Killed, Trump Issues Call to Action
United States President Donald Trump offered limited comment on the death of Mexican drug cartel boss El Mencho during a military operation supported by US intelligence. However, Trump called on Mexico to “step up” its efforts in combating drug cartels.
“Mexico must step up their efforts in fighting cartels and drugs!” Trump declared in a recent statement via the social media platform Truth Social, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Tuesday (24/2/2026).
Trump’s call came after Mexican federal security forces launched a military raid on Sunday (22/2) local time, targeting the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho.
The raid was conducted in the Tapalpa region of Jalisco state, a CJNG stronghold. The operation was originally designed to capture El Mencho alive, but fierce resistance from CJNG cartel members sparked a battle with Mexican military personnel.
Mexico’s Ministry of Defence reported that four CJNG cartel members were killed at the scene of the battle and three others were critically wounded, subsequently dying while being evacuated by air to the capital, Mexico City.
El Mencho was among those injured during the raid and ultimately died whilst being airlifted to Mexico City. Mexico’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of El Mencho, who was 60 years old and a former police officer.
The CJNG cartel led by El Mencho is an international criminal organisation widely regarded as one of the most powerful in Mexico. El Mencho had successfully evaded capture for years, despite a US reward of up to US$15 million (approximately Rp 252.4 billion) for information leading to his arrest.
A prior Reuters report revealed that the Joint Interagency Task Force — Counter Cartel, involving several US government agencies and led by the US military, played a role in the Mexican military operation that killed El Mencho.
The task force, which specialises in intelligence gathering on drug cartels, had compiled a detailed target package on El Mencho and provided it to the Mexican government for its operation, according to the Reuters report citing former US officials.
El Mencho’s death has triggered a wave of violence across several regions of Mexico, particularly in Jalisco and surrounding areas, with local business centres and vehicles set ablaze, and armed men blocking highways in several Mexican states.
The violence has been described as likely retaliation by the CJNG cartel.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro declared a “code red” state of emergency, suspending public transport and urging residents to remain indoors.