The Mexican military has confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as 'El Mencho', who was one of the most wanted drug lords in the country and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. His capture and subsequent killing occurred during a strategic operation that initiated on February 20, based on intelligence that linked a trusted associate to his romantic partner. As the authorities closed in, this associate transported the partner to a cabin in Tapalpa, Jalisco, where El Mencho was eventually located and killed.

El Mencho had been on the run for years and was considered a major figure in the fentanyl trade, with the U.S. offering a $15 million bounty for information leading to his capture. His rise to power was notable as it followed the arrest of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, the infamous Sinaloa Cartel leader. Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo highlighted the military's rigorous intelligence work that led to this operation, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of various military intelligence divisions in tracking down one of the drug world's most notorious figures.

His death could have significant repercussions for drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, particularly the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which has been known for its violent tactics and territorial disputes with rival cartels. The U.S. government's involvement and the bounty on El Mencho underscored the international stakes in combatting drug trafficking, particularly with the ongoing crisis surrounding fentanyl in the U.S. and the rising overdose deaths linked to this substance. The capture and killing of such a pivotal figure could indicate shifts in drug dynamics within Mexico as other cartels vie for influence in the drug trade.