On Sunday, the Mexican military eliminated Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes — known as “El Mencho” — the leader of the , effectively decapitating what had grown into Mexico’s most formidable cartel and delivering the government its largest achievement to date to demonstrate progress to the Trump administration.
Oseguera Cervantes sustained injuries during a Sunday operation aimed at apprehending him in Tapalpa, Jalisco (roughly a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara) and passed away while being transported by air to Mexico City, the Mexican Defense Department stated in a release. Jalisco serves as the cartel’s home base, with the group notorious for smuggling massive amounts of fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States.
During the operation, military personnel faced gunfire and fatally shot four individuals at the scene. Three additional people, including were injured and later succumbed to their wounds, according to the statement. Two others were taken into custody, while authorities seized armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and other weapons. Three members of the armed forces were also wounded and are receiving medical care.
Roadblocks and burning vehicles
The death of the influential drug lord triggered several hours of roadblocks featuring burning vehicles across Jalisco and other states. Such tactics are a common cartel strategy to hinder military operations.
Videos circulating on social media captured plumes of smoke rising over Puerto Vallarta (a tourist hub in Jalisco) and individuals fleeing in panic through the airport of the state’s capital. On Sunday afternoon, Air Canada announced it was halting flights to Puerto Vallarta “due to an ongoing security situation” and urged passengers not to travel to the airport.
US had offered up to $15 million for his capture
The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to El Mencho’s arrest. The — commonly referred to as CJNG — is among Mexico’s most powerful and rapidly expanding criminal organizations, established in 2009.
In February, the Trump administration classified the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, following in her predecessor’s footsteps, has criticized the “kingpin” approach of prior administrations — a strategy where cartel leaders are eliminated only to spark surges in violence as the groups fragment. While Sheinbaum has maintained popularity in Mexico, security remains a persistent concern, and she has faced significant pressure to deliver results against drug trafficking since U.S. President Donald Trump took office a year ago.
Known as aggressive cartel
The Jalisco cartel has been among the most aggressive groups in targeting the military — including helicopter attacks — and is a . In 2020, the cartel staged a high-profile assassination attempt using grenades and high-powered rifles in central Mexico City against the then-head of the capital’s police force (who now serves as the federal security secretary).
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers the cartel to be as powerful as the Sinaloa Cartel (one of Mexico’s most notorious criminal groups) with a presence in all 50 U.S. states. It is a key supplier of cocaine to the U.S. market and, similar to the Sinaloa Cartel, generates billions from producing fentanyl and methamphetamines. The Sinaloa Cartel, however, has been weakened by internal conflicts following the loss of its leaders Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán (both in U.S. custody).
Oseguera Cervantes has been deeply involved in drug trafficking activities since the 1990s. In 1994, he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and served nearly three years in prison. Upon his release, he returned to Mexico and reengaged in drug trafficking operations.
Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes has faced multiple indictments in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The latest superseding indictment (filed on April 5, 2022) accuses Oseguera Cervantes of conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances (methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl) with the intent to illegally import them into the United States, as well as using firearms during and in connection with drug trafficking offenses. He is also charged under the Drug Kingpin Enforcement Act for overseeing a continuing criminal enterprise.
The U.S. State Department advised U.S. citizens residing in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León to remain in secure locations amid the ongoing security operations.