Drug Lord’ El Mencho Killed; Violence Spreads Across Mexico

Darwin, 23 February:

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the head of one of Mexico’s most powerful drug empires, widely known as “El Mencho,” has been killed in a security forces operation. Following his death, violence has spread across several states, including the western state of Jalisco, prompting authorities to implement emergency security measures.

According to Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, citing Mexico’s Ministry of Defense, Oseguera, 59, was seriously wounded during a gun battle with the army on Sunday in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco state. He died while being transported to Mexico City.

The United States had placed a $15 million bounty on his head.

Authorities said the operation was carried out based on long-term intelligence surveillance, with “supplementary information” provided by U.S. authorities playing a significant role.

Immediately after the operation, armed groups set vehicles on fire and blocked major highways in at least six states, including Jalisco.

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco—where several upcoming FIFA World Cup matches are scheduled to be held—was virtually deserted on Sunday night. Frightened residents took shelter in their homes.

Videos circulating on social media showed passengers running to safety at Guadalajara International Airport. Plumes of smoke were also seen in the sky over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus urged residents to stay indoors and announced the temporary suspension of public transportation. Schools were closed on Monday in several states.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, in a post on social media platform X, called for calm and said coordination was being maintained with the governments of all states, adding that the situation remained normal in most parts of the country.

Before this, a bounty of $15 million had been announced for the capture of this drug trafficker. For many years, intelligence agencies from both Mexico and the United States had been jointly searching for him.

From Poverty to a Criminal Empire

El Mencho was born in 1966 into a poor farming family in the Michoacán region of Mexico. In his youth, he illegally crossed into the United States in search of work. It was there that he became involved in drug trafficking.

He was eventually arrested, and the U.S. government deported him back to Mexico.

After that, his life took a dramatic turn. He joined the Mexican police department, although he did not remain there for long. However, his experience in the police force helped him understand the strategies and inner workings of law enforcement, which later benefited him in the criminal world.

He initially worked with the Milenio Cartel but later formed his own group. Under his leadership, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) quickly became one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world.

Beyond Drugs: A Diversified Criminal Network

CJNG was not limited to drug trafficking alone.

In addition to smuggling

methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl into the United States, the organization was involved in fuel theft, kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, and money laundering.

Experts say it operated as a criminal empire run on a modern corporate model.