In a joint operation by the Mexican Army and United States intelligence, the top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed
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The Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho", identified as the top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and one of the most wanted drug traffickers by Mexico and the United States.
The killing occurred after a high-level operation in the municipality of Tapalpa, which led to armed clashes and a wave of violence in several states of the country.
According to an official statement, the operation was the result of central military intelligence work in coordination with the National Intelligence Center and the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, particularly the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO).
It was also reported that, within the framework of bilateral cooperation, U.S. authorities provided additional information to locate the criminal leader.
''El Mencho'' fue asesinado durante un operativo en conjunto entre las Fuerzas Armadas mexicanas y agencias de inteligencia de Estados Unidos
The deployment included the participation of Special Forces of the Mexican Army, aircraft of the Air Force and the Immediate Reaction Special Force of the National Guard.
The initial objective was to achieve the arrest of Rubén "N", identified as "Mencho". However, during the intervention, military personnel were attacked by CJNG members, which triggered a confrontation.
According to the official version, the military personnel repelled the aggression in self-defense. At the scene, four members of the criminal group were killed and three others were seriously wounded. The latter died during their air transfer to Mexico City; among them was Oseguera Cervantes. The formal identification was left to the corresponding forensic authorities.
Al menos tres integrantes del Ejército de México resultaron heridos
In the operation, two other members of the organization were also arrested and high-powered weaponry was seized, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft and destroying armored vehicles, as well as vehicles with improvised armor. Three soldiers were wounded and were transferred to hospitals in the country's capital to receive specialized care.
The death of "El Mencho" represents one of the most significant blows against organized crime in recent years. Oseguera Cervantes was considered a priority target by both the Mexican government and the U.S. government, which offered a reward of up to 15 million dollars for information leading to his capture. In Mexico, since 2018, up to 30 million pesos were offered for information that would facilitate his location.
The CJNG, under his leadership, was consolidated as one of the most violent and expansive criminal organizations in the country, with a presence in multiple states and international operations in drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and money laundering.
Its growth accelerated after the weakening of the Sinaloa Cartel, following the capture and extradition of figures such as Joaquín Guzmán Loera, "El Chapo", and the arrest of Ismael Zambada García, "El Mayo".
Los juegos de poder en México se alteraron tras la captura del ''Chapo'' Guzmán y ''El Mayo'' Zambada
After the death of the kingpin was confirmed, roadblocks, vehicle burnings, and clashes were reported in different areas of Jalisco, including the metropolitan area of Guadalajara and the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta. State authorities activated the "red code" and deployed additional security forces to contain the unrest.
The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, reported that a security task force was set up with representatives of the three branches of government and urged the population to remain in their homes and follow only official information.
In Puerto Vallarta, hotels and businesses closed as a preventive measure, while at the international airport of Guadalajara security was reinforced with the presence of the National Guard.
The communist president Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the security cabinet would expand on the details of the operation in the following hours. Meanwhile, the governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, reported vehicle burnings in her state and announced the strengthening of coordinated operations.
At the international level, the U.S. Department of State recommended that its citizens remain sheltered in their hotels in light of the serious unrest in Puerto Vallarta, while some airlines canceled flights to the region due to the security situation.
Analysts warn that, although the death of Oseguera Cervantes constitutes a strategic blow against the CJNG, it will also generate an internal reconfiguration and disputes for territorial control, with the consequent risk of new episodes of violence.
Federal authorities have reinforced the presence of the National Guard and the Army in Jalisco and neighboring states with the objective of restoring order and preventing greater harm to the civilian population.
La comunista Sheinbaum aseguró que los detalles del operativo se verán explayados a lo largo de la noche
