Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a sweeping military operation after authorities received a crucial tip from one of his romantic partners, officials said. The cartel boss, for whom the United States had offered a $15 million reward, had long evaded capture despite being one of Mexico’s most wanted men.
According to Mexico’s defense ministry, intelligence linked to a woman described as one of Oseguera’s girlfriends helped security forces pinpoint his location in Tapalpa, a scenic town in the western state of Jalisco known for its vacation homes. Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said the woman had been taken to a house there by a trusted associate and met Oseguera on Saturday before leaving him behind with his security detail. The information reportedly enabled authorities to plan a rapid assault the following day.
On Sunday, Mexico’s National Guard Special Immediate Reaction Force launched a coordinated operation involving land and air units. Officials said they avoided directly entering Jalisco at first to maintain secrecy and preserve the element of surprise. Once Oseguera’s presence at the compound was confirmed, forces moved in.
The raid quickly turned violent. Oseguera’s heavily armed security team, which had previously used military-grade weapons against state forces, opened fire. During the exchange, cartel gunmen struck a military helicopter, forcing it to make an emergency landing at a nearby base. Authorities said Oseguera was found in possession of an arsenal that included assault rifles and two rocket launchers.
As troops tightened the perimeter, Oseguera and his inner circle fled into a wooded area surrounding a cluster of cabins. He was eventually located hiding in undergrowth and was fatally injured during the operation. Officials said he died while being airlifted by helicopter.
The confrontation triggered widespread unrest. According to authorities cited in media reports, at least 62 people were killed, including 25 members of the National Guard’s military police and 34 suspected cartel members. Cartel loyalists responded by setting vehicles ablaze and erecting 85 roadblocks across more than a dozen states.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said early Monday that the situation was stabilizing and that roadblocks were being brought under control. Nonetheless, security was reinforced in Jalisco, the stronghold of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), with the deployment of 2,000 additional troops. The rapid spread of violence caused alarm among residents and tourists in the region’s coastal areas.
The bodies of Oseguera and two others were transported to Mexico City and handed over to the General Prosecutor’s Office. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said Oseguera’s remains would be released to his family. Burial arrangements have not been disclosed.
The CJNG, long considered one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations, has been designated a terrorist organization by Washington. U.S. authorities have accused the group of trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States.
