On February 22, the Mexican military conducted a special operation in the municipality of Tapalpa, located approximately 150 kilometers from the capital of Jalisco state. During this operation, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as ‘El Mencho’, one of the world’s most wanted drug lords, was killed along with three other suspected members of his organization.
The Mexican Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the operation was based on intelligence provided by the United States. El Mencho was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a group that has gained notoriety for its violent tactics and significant influence in Mexico and Latin America.
Following El Mencho’s death, widespread unrest erupted in several regions across Mexico. Reports indicated that cartel members blocked roads in five states, including Jalisco, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas, using burning vehicles to create makeshift barricades.
Additionally, armed members of the cartel launched attacks on critical infrastructure. According to the publication Clash Report, they attempted to disrupt airport operations, stormed a National Guard base in San Juan de los Lagos, and assaulted a prison in Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta.
In response to the escalating violence, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro declared a ‘red alert’ and urged the state’s eight million residents to remain indoors until the situation was under control.
Reports of roadblocks and vehicle arson were also noted in various cities and states across the country.
El Mencho had been a fugitive sought by the U.S. government on charges of conspiracy to traffic drugs. Allegedly, Washington had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, formed in 2009, has been described as one of the most ruthless criminal organizations in Mexico. Since 2017, El Mencho faced numerous charges in the District Court for the District of Columbia. The most recent indictment, filed on April 5, 2022, detailed a conspiracy to produce and smuggle methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl into the United States.
The Mexican military's operation that resulted in the death of drug lord El Mencho has led to significant unrest across multiple states. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges posed by powerful drug cartels in Mexico and the international implications of drug trafficking.
Source: The Guardian