Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the 59-year-old head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a confrontation with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and later died while being airlifted to Mexico City, according to a military statement.
The United States offered him a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Who Killed the Cartel Leader in Mexico?
The Mexican military said on Sunday that notorious drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera was killed in an operation that sparked violent incidents in several parts of the country.
Meaning of El Mencho
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was born Rubén Oseguera Cervantes and later adopted the name Nemesio, allegedly in honor of his godfather, whose identity remains unknown. His name was eventually shortened to the alias “El Mencho”, a nickname that has no clearly defined meaning and no direct translation.
Oseguera is one of the most prominent Mexican drug lords captured since the arrest of Sinaloa cartel founders Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael Zambada, who are currently serving prison terms in the United States.
“El Chapo” is a Mexican slang nickname for former drug lord Joaquín Guzmán, meaning “the short one,” according to Reddit users. It refers to his 5-foot-6 height and compact, stocky build, a nickname he acquired during his teenage years.
Violence in Mexico
Gunmen retaliated after the raid by blocking more than 20 roads in western Jalisco, including areas like Tapalpa, with burning cars and trucks. The violence spread to other states as well. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm and said the federal government was working closely with state authorities.
According to a statement on Sunday, the raid linked Mexican military intelligence with “additional information” from US authorities. The operation resulted in the death of six suspected cartel members, including Oseguera, and the wounding of three soldiers. Two cartel suspects were taken into custody and a number of weapons were seized, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.
Read also | El Mencho killing: Dozens of flights canceled and delayed due to violence in Mexico
In response to the violence, Jalisco, which will host four World Cup matches this summer, canceled all large public events on Sunday and suspended in-person classes on Monday.
The streets of Guadalajara, the state capital, were almost deserted as shops, pharmacies and gas stations were closed.
Maria Medina, who worked at the gas station that was set on fire, said armed men arrived and told everyone to leave.
“I thought they were going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to hide with the people,” Medina told AFP.
Read also | How El Chapo Guzman, the biggest Mexican drug lord of all time, was caught
The violence also spread to Michoacán, the neighboring state where Oseguer’s cartel operates, and the resort town of Puerto Vallarta.
His cartel, which was formed in 2009, has grown into one of the most violent drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico, according to the US Department of Justice.
Guatemala has announced it is strengthening “strategic” areas along its border with Mexico, which has recently seen cross-border raids by cartel-linked criminal groups.
The United States has designated the Jalisco cartel as a terrorist organization and accused it of sending cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the country.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised the operation, describing Oseguera as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” adding, “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America and the world.” The raid came amid pressure from US President Donald Trump on Mexico to curb the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
(With agency input)
