El Mencho Killed in Massive Mexican Military Operation After Surveillance of Girlfriend
Mexico City: Mexican authorities have confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), following a large-scale military operation in the western state of Jalisco that left more than 70 people dead.
According to Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Ricardo Trevilla, intelligence efforts — including information provided by US agencies — led special forces to Oseguera Cervantes after tracking a trusted associate linked to one of his romantic partners. Surveillance revealed that the woman travelled to Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Friday to meet the cartel leader.
Authorities confirmed his location after she spent the night with him and departed, prompting the armed forces to finalize operational plans.
Pre-Dawn Raid and Violent Clashes
In the early hours of Sunday, Mexican army and National Guard units established a ground cordon around the wooded area near Tapalpa where Oseguera Cervantes was believed to be hiding. Six helicopters and additional special forces were deployed, with aerial reconnaissance support from the Mexican Air Force.
Gen. Trevilla said the cartel responded with intense violence. Eight gunmen were killed in initial shootouts as Oseguera Cervantes attempted to flee with two bodyguards while heavily armed fighters stayed behind to delay the military advance.
The cartel members were equipped with heavy weaponry, including two rocket launchers — one similar to the type used in 2015 to shoot down a military helicopter in a major CJNG attack. Despite the arsenal, authorities said the weapons were not successfully deployed during Sunday’s confrontation.
“El Mencho” was eventually found “hidden in the undergrowth” and wounded along with his bodyguards during a subsequent firefight. A military helicopter was forced into an emergency landing after being hit by gunfire, and three soldiers were injured.
Death En Route to Hospital
Oseguera Cervantes and his bodyguards were airlifted for emergency medical treatment but died while being transported, officials confirmed. Their bodies were flown to Mexico City instead of remaining in Jalisco to prevent potential retaliatory violence.
President Claudia Sheinbaum was reportedly kept informed of developments throughout the operation.
Widespread Violence and Retaliation
The operation triggered widespread violence across Jalisco and neighboring states. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said 25 National Guard members, a prison official, a prosecutor’s office employee and a civilian woman were among those killed in Jalisco, along with 30 suspected criminals.
In neighboring Michoacán, four additional gunmen were killed and 15 security personnel were wounded.
Authorities also targeted a key CJNG figure known as “El Tuli,” described as Oseguera’s right-hand man and a logistics and financial operator. He was accused of orchestrating roadblocks, arson attacks and assaults on government facilities during the unrest. A paratrooper brigade later tracked him down and killed him in a separate shootout, seizing multiple firearms and nearly $1.4 million in US and Mexican currency.
Gen. Trevilla revealed that “El Tuli” had allegedly offered gunmen 20,000 pesos — more than $1,000 — for each soldier killed during the clashes.
Years-Long Manhunt Ends
Both Mexican and US authorities had pursued Oseguera Cervantes for years. He faced multiple arrest warrants in both countries for organised crime and drug trafficking and was considered one of the United States’ most wanted fugitives.
Officials described the operation as the culmination of years of intelligence gathering, marking a significant blow to one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organisations, though authorities warned that instability and retaliation risks remain.
