A wave of violence has erupted in Mexico after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as 'El Mencho,' the leader of one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels, the CJNG. Mexican officials confirmed that 25 National Guard soldiers lost their lives in confrontations triggered by his death, which occurred during a government operation in Jalisco State. Authorities revealed that special forces located El Mencho thanks to his mistress, who unknowingly led the military to his hideout. This operation underscores the challenges the Mexican government faces in combating drug cartel violence.

The details emerged in a press conference held on February 23, where President Claudia Sheinbaum and Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the operation that led to El Mencho's death. He was fatally wounded during the military raid in a wooded area near Tapalpa and succumbed to his injuries while being transported by helicopter to a hospital. The military's announcement of such high casualties among the National Guard reflects the intense and often dangerous confrontations between state forces and organized crime in Mexico.

The implications of El Mencho's death could ripple across the drug trafficking landscape in Mexico, as the CJNG is known for its brutality and extensive network. The power vacuum created by the death of a key cartel leader often leads to increased violence as rival factions vie for control. As the Mexican government continues its fight against drug cartels, the situation emphasizes the need for strategic reforms and comprehensive approaches to address the entrenched violence and instability within the country.