Fuente de la imagen, Getty Images
-
- Autor,
-
-
Tiempo de lectura: 7 min
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the most wanted drug trafficker by authorities in Mexico and the United States, died Sunday after evading capture for over a decade.
Known as “El Mencho,” the 59-year-old co-founded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a criminal organization that has expanded across Mexico and become one of the most violent groups alongside the Sinaloa Cartel.
The U.S. Government offered a $15 million reward for his capture, even as Mexico’s program offered the highest amount in its history: $1.75 million.
More recently, the Trump administration designated the CJNG as a terrorist organization, citing its “ruthless and violent cartel responsible for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs into the United States.”
Mexican authorities released details Sunday regarding the operation, which was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Government.
Here’s what is known about the operation that led to the death of “El Mencho.”
What Happened During the Operation?
For years, Oseguera Cervantes was known to have a network of protection in both rural and urban areas of the state of Jalisco, in western Mexico, allowing him to move and operate with relative freedom.
However, an operation led by the Mexican army finally located him in the municipality of Tapalpa, a mountainous area approximately 80 miles south of Guadalajara.
According to the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), a command of Special Forces carried out the operation with support from aircraft of the Mexican Air Force and elements of the National Guard’s Special Reaction Force.
The criminals had armored vehicles and heavy weaponry, including rocket launchers capable of downing aircraft, Sedena reported in a statement.
“During this operation, military personnel were attacked, and in self-defense, they repelled the aggression, resulting in four members of the CJNG criminal group dying at the scene and three seriously injured, who died while being transferred by air to Mexico City,” the statement added.
Nemesio Oseguera was among the wounded captured and died during transport to the capital.
Two other members of the CJNG were arrested, while the army sustained three serious injuries and were transported to hospitals in Mexico City.
Fuente de la imagen, Reuters
U.S. Involvement
Sedena also reported that the operation resulting in Nemesio Oseguera’s death included “complementary information” from the U.S. Government “within the framework of coordination and bilateral cooperation” with that country.
This was also stated by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
“The U.S. Provided intelligence support to the Mexican government to aid with an operation… in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes was eliminated,” she wrote on X.
“The Trump administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for its cooperation and the successful execution of this operation,” she added.
No precise details were given as to what type of information the U.S. Government provided, which, since the arrival of Donald Trump to the White House a year ago, has pressured Mexico to increase the fight against drug trafficking and has offered direct intervention.
Pentagon sources told CBS News, a BBC partner in the U.S., that there was support from the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, which routinely collaborates with the Mexican army through the U.S. Northern Command.
But a U.S. Military official emphasized that “this was a Mexican military operation, so the success is theirs.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the Mexican Army, the National Guard, the Armed Forces, and the Security Cabinet for the operation, but did not mention U.S. Participation.
Since taking office in October 2024, Sheinbaum has maintained that she will not allow the direct participation of U.S. Forces in the country, but has said that “coordination without subordination” in security and other issues with Washington is welcome.
Fuente de la imagen, Getty Images
Violent Reaction
The operation took place in the early hours of Sunday, and as the day progressed, dozens of road blockades, attacks on businesses, and scenes of chaos occurred in several states across the country.
Jalisco was the state most affected by the so-called “narcobloqueos,” with several major highways and streets in the cities of Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Lagos de Moreno closed by burned commercial and private vehicles.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus declared a “red code” for the state and asked the population to stay home and avoid going out if not necessary.
In a report issued Sunday night, the Federal Security Secretariat reported 252 blockades in 20 Mexican states during the day.
As of 8:00 PM local time, authorities reported that “approximately 90% (229) of these blockades had been removed.”
Numerous videos and photos on social media showed the burned vehicles and columns of smoke in various parts of the region.
Some passengers also showed fear at airports due to possible attacks.
In the case of Puerto Vallarta, a popular international tourist destination, several Mexican and foreign airlines diverted flights that were approaching and canceled others due to the uncertainty generated.
At least ten flights from the United States, Canada, and other places were canceled Sunday night and throughout Monday.
The same happened at Guadalajara airport.
However, the Federal Civil Aviation Agency of Mexico reported that both terminals and the Tepic airport resumed normal operations on Sunday afternoon.
Other states with a CJNG presence, mainly Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas, were also affected by the blockades.
Sheinbaum said in a message on X that “in most of the national territory, activities are developing with full normality,” and assured that the government is coordinating with the affected states. “We must stay informed and calm,” she said.
Sedena reported that it would deploy additional troops to reinforce security in Jalisco.
Subscribe here to our new newsletter to receive a selection of our best content each Friday.
And remember you can receive notifications in our app. Download the latest version and activate them.
