El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, with assistance from the United States.
El Mencho, whose real name is Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, was confirmed dead following a special operations military action in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The Mexican Secretary of National Defense (Sedena) released an official statement, detailing that the operation was executed with the collaboration of U.S. forces and the Mexican military's Intelligence Center, alongside other law enforcement and military entities.
The military action came on the heels of widespread narco-blockades in 13 states across Mexico, indicating a significant escalation in cartel violence in response to the operation. Sedena's communiqué laid out the intelligence-led efforts that preceded the operation, suggesting that it was not a spontaneous event but rather a strategically coordinated attack against a high-profile target long considered a prominent figure in organized crime networks in Mexico.
The death of El Mencho is expected to have substantial implications for the CJNG and the wider landscape of drug trafficking in Mexico. Analysts speculate that his absence may lead to power struggles within the cartel and a potential shift in the dynamics of drug-related violence in the region. This incident also highlights the increasing cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities in combating organized crime, which may be a double-edged sword for security policy in both countries.
