CIA tip ‘instrumental’ in killing of Mexican drug lord – media
US intelligence played a crucial role in the successful operation that led to the death of notorious Mexican drug lord El Mencho.
US intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA, reportedly provided vital information that assisted in the operation to eliminate Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, who was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). According to multiple media outlets, this collaborative effort highlights the deepening ties between US and Mexican authorities in combating drug trafficking and cartel violence. El Mencho was targeted in a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, where he subsequently died from his injuries.
The killing of El Mencho represents a significant achievement for the Mexican government, which has struggled for years to contain the violence exerted by powerful drug cartels. Following his death, the CJNG has already reacted with violent reprisals, underscoring the immediate instability that accompanies the removal of such a key figure in organized crime. This attack not only affects Mexico's security landscape but also has potential implications for drug trafficking into the United States, especially concerning fentanyl and other narcotics.
The announcement of El Mencho's death and the involvement of US intelligence raises questions about the future of US-Mexico collaboration against drug cartels, as well as the effectiveness of military actions against entrenched criminal organizations. The operational success could encourage continued intelligence-sharing and joint operations, although the repercussions of this assassination on cartel dynamics are yet to unfold.