MEXICO CITY: New Details Emerge on the Killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, Alias “El Mencho,” Infamous Head of Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
According to international news agencies, the successful operation that led to the death of the elusive drug lord was made possible by closely tracking the movements of his girlfriend, who was under intense surveillance by security agencies.
Mexican authorities acknowledged that intelligence tracking of El Mencho’s girlfriend’s movements was key to locating him and planning the large-scale military operation against him.
Intelligence sources revealed that one of the drug lord’s close associates transported his girlfriend to the Tapalpa area in Jalisco state. This confirmed that El Mencho was present in the region and intended to meet her, allowing authorities to finalize and execute the operation.
According to Mexico’s Secretary of Defense, General Ricardo Trevilla Treviño, special forces — acting on U.S. intelligence support — carried out the raid in Tapalpa early Sunday morning.
During the operation, El Mencho was located hiding in brush. A fierce firefight ensued, in which he and two of his bodyguards were wounded.
The heavily injured drug lord and his bodyguards were taken into custody and were being airlifted by helicopter for medical treatment when El Mencho succumbed to his injuries en route.
The major operation and the subsequent violent clashes that erupted resulted in more than 70 deaths overall, including security personnel, suspected cartel members, and civilians.
During the clashes, two rocket launchers were recovered, and a military helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing after being hit by gunfire.
Officials stated that El Mencho’s close associate, known as “El Tuli,” had offered a bounty for the killing of soldiers, set up roadblocks, carried out arson attacks, and planned assaults on government installations. However, he was killed in a separate confrontation.
Mexican security agencies report that violence continues in Jalisco and neighboring states. Nonetheless, the death of El Mencho is being described as a major and symbolic victory in Mexico’s long-standing war against drug cartels.
