The Mexican government has confirmed the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Authorities described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against organized crime, with U.S. intelligence reportedly supporting the mission. Both Mexico and the United States had placed multimillion-dollar bounties on him, accusing him of overseeing a vast drug trafficking empire responsible for flooding North America with methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
However, his death immediately triggered coordinated retaliation across multiple states, including arson attacks, highway blockades, and assaults on security forces.
Analysts warn that while the removal of a cartel kingpin may weaken command structures in the short term, past high-profile takedowns have often led to internal power struggles, territorial battles, and surges in violence. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo urged citizens to remain calm as security forces moved to contain unrest.
Who Was El Mencho
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, born in 1966 in Aguililla, Michoacán, rose from modest beginnings to become one of Mexico’s most feared criminal figures.
He co-founded the CJNG around 2007 alongside Erick Valencia Salazar after the death of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel. Initially aligned with the Sinaloa Cartel, the CJNG later split and engaged in a brutal turf war that expanded its influence across large parts of Mexico. Known for his low public profile, El Mencho avoided media attention, unlike notorious trafficker Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Before consolidating power in Mexico, Oseguera lived in the United States, where he was convicted in 1994 in federal court in California for conspiracy to distribute heroin and served nearly three years in prison.
U.S. prosecutors later indicted him multiple times, including a 2022 superseding indictment in Washington, D.C., charging him with trafficking methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, as well as firearms offenses and violations under the Drug Kingpin Enforcement Act.
He was regarded by U.S. authorities as one of the most dangerous traffickers in the world.
What El Mencho Killing Means For Mexico
Security experts say the killing represents a symbolic and operational victory for Mexico’s armed forces, potentially disrupting CJNG’s command and financial networks. For the military, removing its most visible leader could temporarily weaken the cartel’s coordination and external alliances.
The joint intelligence cooperation between Mexico and the United States may also signal deeper bilateral security collaboration.
Yet history suggests uncertainty ahead. Previous cartel leader eliminations have fragmented criminal groups, leading to splinter factions competing violently for territory and control of drug routes.
Following El Mencho’s death, several states reported burning vehicles and armed clashes, prompting local authorities including Jalisco’s governor to heighten security measures. While the strike may mark a turning point, Mexico now faces the delicate challenge of preventing a new cycle of instability.
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