SAEDNEWS: After Mexico’s armed forces reportedly killed the leader of the CJNG, known as “El Mencho,” head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel—Mexico’s largest drug trafficking organization—members of the group engaged in urban warfare with the Mexican army and federal security forces in the state of Jalisco.
According to Saed News’ accident service, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed during a military operation in the state of Jalisco in western Mexico. The incident triggered widespread chaos in the region, with roads blocked and tourists fleeing a major airport.
A Mexican official stated that Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died on Sunday during an attempted security operation to arrest him. He succumbed to injuries sustained in an armed confrontation. The CJNG is considered one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in Mexico. His death occurred in the coastal town of Tapalpa, which is regarded as one of the cartel’s strongholds. Reports indicate he died while being transported to a hospital.
A federal official said the deadly operation took place after several hours of road blockades involving burning vehicles across Jalisco and neighboring states. Such tactics are commonly used by cartels to hinder security forces.
Following the death of the cartel leader, widespread arson, gunfire, and panic broke out. Armed CJNG members reportedly set vehicles on fire, blocked roads, and caused passengers to flee airport terminals.
Thick columns of smoke were seen over Puerto Vallarta, a major city in Jalisco, as terrified residents fled from the state capital’s airport.
Local media reported that following Oseguera’s death, cartel-related attacks were recorded in several Mexican states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Colima, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, and Veracruz.
The U.S. State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest. Since 2017, he had been indicted multiple times in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Experts have long noted that even highly powerful cartel leaders typically have multiple deputies ready to replace them. However, El Mencho played a central role in building CJNG into one of Mexico’s largest criminal organizations. A former police officer, he was one of the country’s most wanted fugitives. The 59-year-old, originally from Michoacán, had expanded his criminal activities over three decades.
El Mencho first moved illegally to the United States in the 1980s, where he was arrested multiple times and later imprisoned for heroin trafficking. He was deported to Mexico at age 30 and became increasingly involved in cartel operations.
He initially worked for the Milenio Cartel in his home state before eventually founding CJNG in 2009 following its fragmentation. The group engaged in cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and migrant trafficking into the United States.
CJNG expanded rapidly, reportedly operating in at least 21 of Mexico’s 32 states and trafficking drugs internationally. Its estimated wealth exceeded $20 billion.
The cartel is believed to have grown significantly amid the decline of rival organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel following the extradition of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. CJNG later sought to dominate fentanyl distribution networks.
The group is also known for extreme violence, including the use of drones and improvised explosives, and has been linked to high-profile attacks against security forces and officials. At its peak, it was estimated to have between 15,000 and 20,000 members and generated billions annually from drug trafficking, extortion, fuel theft, kidnapping, mining, and migrant smuggling.
CJNG has been described as one of the most brutal drug trafficking organizations in the Americas, with operations extending to Europe and Asia. Its leader was widely regarded as elusive, with few confirmed photographs available.
Despite his secrecy, El Mencho was known for his interest in motorcycles and cockfighting, earning him the nickname “El Señor de los Gallos” (“The Lord of the Roosters”).
The cartel has been linked to numerous atrocities, including mass killings and high-profile assassinations of officials and civilians.
Mexican authorities are expected to present the removal of one of the country’s most wanted criminals as a major victory, which will also resonate in Washington, particularly in relation to efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking.
