Feb 25 • 21:36 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil Folha (PT)

How Mexico killed the mega-trafficker El Mencho?

Mexico's crackdown on drug cartels culminated in the death of powerful trafficker El Mencho, aided by intelligence and a personal connection.

Mexican authorities have successfully neutralized one of the country's most notorious drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. El Mencho was at the helm of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel, which has been recognized as one of the most dominant drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. The operation leading to his demise was notably facilitated by intelligence provided by a confidante connected to one of his romantic partners, illustrating how personal relationships can intertwine with criminal networks.

The operation unfolded after US intelligence helped Mexican agents identify El Mencho's planned meeting with his girlfriend on a farm in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Mexican military forces executed a surprise assault, both on land and from the air, on the day following the meeting. During the confrontation, El Mencho and three associates sustained injuries; he ultimately succumbed while en route to the hospital, marking a significant victory for Mexican law enforcement in a long-standing battle against drug trafficking.

El Mencho's death has broader implications for the ongoing fight against narcotics in Mexico, where drug-related violence has been rampant. As the U.S. had previously placed a bounty of $15 million on his head, the successful operation might not only impact the operational capabilities of the Jalisco cartel but could also signal a shift in the dynamics of power among competing drug organizations. The fallout from his death is yet to be fully understood, but it poses critical questions about the future of organized crime in Mexico and the effectiveness of collaboration with U.S. intelligence in these high-stakes operations.

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