The Mexican Ministry of Defense has confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a significant military operation. The 59-year-old drug lord succumbed to injuries sustained in clashes with security forces in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday.
The operation involved the Mexican Air Force and National Guard units, which engaged in intense fighting with cartel members. Following the announcement of Oseguera’s death, CJNG operatives initiated violent reprisals across at least eight states in Mexico, including arson attacks on vehicles and blockades on major highways.
In Jalisco, authorities declared a “red alert” status, halting public transportation and advising residents to remain indoors. The military raid on the cartel’s base resulted in the seizure of armored vehicles and heavy weaponry, including missile launchers capable of targeting aircraft.
The United States, which had previously offered a reward of $15 million for information leading to Oseguera’s capture, provided intelligence that aided Mexican law enforcement in the operation.
Oseguera founded the CJNG in 2010 and quickly established dominance in the trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States. The cartel gained notoriety for its extreme violence, including public executions and displays of victims’ bodies to intimidate rivals and the general population. CJNG members have previously engaged in open combat with law enforcement and have shot down military helicopters using rocket-propelled grenades.
The death of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes marks a significant development in Mexico's ongoing struggle with drug cartels. His demise has triggered violent responses from cartel members across the country, prompting heightened security measures.