Nemesio Osecutera Cervantes, infamously known as "El Mencho", spent his final days in a state of heightened anxiety and illness, fully aware that his every move was being tracked by U.S. security agencies engaged in direct communication with the Mexican government. A month prior to a federal operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, that would ultimately lead to his death, he tried to evade capture while living under constant strain. His life was marked by a restless existence characterized by frequent changes of residence and the use of disguises, including that of an elderly man in a wheelchair.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had him tracked near the protected waters of Laguna de Sayula, believing the mountainous terrain would impede any efforts to arrest him. Despite the apparent security, "El Mencho" remained on edge due to the surveillance of his associates, and he employed various tactics to gain even a fleeting sense of security. The operational pressures and the fear of imminent capture exacerbated his existing kidney problems, impacting his health significantly as the days progressed.

As details emerged about his last hours, it became evident that "El Mencho" was not merely navigating physical challenges but was also battling inner turmoil rooted in the fear of a federal crackdown. With interception of communications revealing his heightened paranoia, the impending sense of his downfall would ultimately result in the end of a notorious reign in drug trafficking, marking a significant moment for both U.S. and Mexican law enforcement efforts against organized crime.