Mexican security forces killed the leader of one of the country’s most powerful cartels in a military operation on Sunday, according to the Mexican government.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the drug lord notoriously known as “El Mencho,” had led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, since the group was created over 15 years ago.
The Mexican Embassy in the United States said in a press release after the operation that Cervantes was one of three cartel members who died after being severely wounded. Four other members died at the scene, and two more were arrested, with cartel weapons and armored vehicles also being seized. Three Mexican security officers were wounded, the embassy said.
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The Mexican Embassy credited U.S. intel in the operation, saying “complementary information was provided by U.S. authorities.” Cervantes faced federal charges in the U.S. for drug trafficking offenses related to his illegal business. He was wanted alive by the U.S. for $15 million, with the State Department offering the reward for information leading to his arrest.
President Donald Trump designated eight Latin American cartels and criminal organizations, including CJNG, as foreign terrorist organizations last February.
As the security operation was carried out in the western state of Jalisco, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico advised U.S. citizens to “shelter in place until further notice.” Other areas were also affected by the shelter-in-place order.
The scene in Jalisco and nearby states on Sunday was marked by violence. Cartels burned vehicles on streets to block Mexican authorities, according to video footage. Shootings led by rampaging cartel members reportedly happened in the aftermath of the cartel leader’s death.
“Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which has led to clashes in the area,” Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus Navarro posted on X. “Also as a result of said operation in various points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals have burned and blocked vehicles with the aim of hindering the actions of authorities.”
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He further wrote, “I have given the instruction to immediately establish the security coordination table with authorities from all three levels of government and to activate the red code in order to prevent acts against the population.”
There was also gunfire reported at Guadalajara International Airport in Jalisco, but the Mexican Security Cabinet said all airports in the state were “operating normally” and “no relevant incidents” were recorded at the facilities.
