The Mexican army announced the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Menchon," during a military operation conducted in western Jalisco state. Cervantes was the most wanted drug criminal in Mexico, and the United States had previously offered a reward of $15 million for information leading to his arrest. His cartel, the Jalisco New Generation, has been involved in violent clashes and has previously used tactics like blocking roads with burning vehicles to thwart military operations.

Preceding the fatal confrontation with Cervantes, the region experienced heightened tension as cartel members resorted to typical countermeasures, including setting fire to vehicles to obstruct the army. Initial reports surrounding the details of the operation and the circumstances leading to Cervantes's death are fragmented and sometimes conflicting, with social media posts showing smoke plumes over Puerto Vallarta, the largest city in Jalisco. These developments add further complexity to an already tense security scenario in the area.

In February, the Trump administration designated the Jalisco cartel as a terrorist organization, highlighting the gravity of the cartel's activities and its impact not just in Mexico but also in the United States. The killing of its leader could signify a crucial turning point in the ongoing battle against drug cartel violence, although the full implications of this action remain to be seen as the power dynamics within the cartel and the broader landscape of drug trafficking in Mexico will likely be affected.