A special operation by Mexico kills El Mencho, the world's most wanted and dangerous drug trafficker
His death, a top priority for the United States, represents the biggest blow to drug trafficking in recent Mexican history.
BarcelonaMexican federal authorities reported on Sunday the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, in a special operation in southwestern Jalisco, on Mexico's west coast. According to security sources, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNG) was killed by the Mexican army following a coordinated operation between the armed forces, the National Guard, and intelligence units, which had been tracking his movements for weeks. El Mencho was considered the world's most wanted and dangerous drug trafficker and was a top priority target for the United States. His death represents the biggest blow to drug trafficking in Mexico's recent history. The operation was reportedly carried out early Sunday morning, Mexican time, when an armored convoy blocked access to a rural area used as a refuge for drug traffickers. Authorities explained that agents from various agencies deployed an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, to arrest the criminal, who had repeatedly escaped capture, thanks to intelligence gathered by various agencies and "supplementary information" provided by the United States. During the operation, the military was attacked, and in retaliation, they killed four criminals. Three others, who were seriously wounded, were airlifted to Mexico City. They died during the transfer. Among the latter was El Mencho, who was around 60 years old. Official sources emphasize that the objective was to capture him alive, but that armed resistance made the outcome inevitable. Born in Michoacán, Oseguera Cervantes rose through the ranks of organized crime to become the undisputed leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most powerful and violent organizations in the country. Under his leadership, the group diversified its businesses—synthetic drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and smuggling—and expanded across much of Mexican territory. The United States offered a multimillion-dollar reward for any information leading to his capture, and Interpol considered him one of the main drivers of regional instability. The figure of El Mencho symbolized the power of the JNG and its ability to confront the state. He survived arrest attempts and military offensives, consolidating a leadership based on fear and internal discipline. Several analysts point out that his downfall could trigger a struggle for control of the cartel among rival factions, with the risk of fragmentation and increased violence in the short term. Under his leadership, the JNG was characterized by a strategy of extreme violence against rivals and security forces, as well as by a significant logistical capacity for trafficking synthetic drugs (such as fentanyl and methamphetamine), cocaine, and heroin into the United States.
El Mencho was considered a key figure in the recent escalation of organized crime violence in Mexico and a symbol of the new cartel model: more militarized, with an almost paramilitary structure and a great capacity to intimidate authorities and the civilian population. In fact, in the operation, authorities seized "all kinds of weapons, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft and destroying armored vehicles."
Outbreak of violence
Just hours after the news broke, several municipalities in the state reported road blockades, vehicle fires, and attacks on infrastructure. Businesses and schools have closed as a precaution, and authorities have activated emergency protocols. The state government attributes these acts to reprisals by JNG cells, seeking to demonstrate strength and hinder police deployment. Official figures for civilian casualties are not yet available, but significant property damage has been reported.
Security experts warn that the death of a crime boss does not necessarily mean the end of the organization. Experience shows that the leader's disappearance can trigger an internal restructuring and a power struggle among mid-level commanders. The government has announced it will reinforce the federal presence in Jalisco and neighboring states to prevent the power vacuum from leading to a new wave of homicides.
Meanwhile, the country watches the unfolding events with tension. The death of El Mencho marks a turning point in the fight against drug trafficking, but it also opens a period of uncertainty in a territory already plagued by years of violence.
