Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was killed by the Mexican army this past Sunday, deallocating Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), according to AP News.
El Mencho has had an impact on the organized crime scene in Mexico, coming from a rural background in western Michoacán. His rise to the top of one of the most feared and dangerous cartels in modern day Mexico, which was exponentially achieved through aggression, brutality and ruthlessness.
The killing of El Mencho was the highest profile blow against the cartels since the recapture of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán a decade ago
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated via X that the U.S. government provided intelligence support for the operation, and commended Mexico’s military for its work.
El Mencho was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” Leavitt wrote.
Since Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has been in power, the Mexican army has been more confrontational and combative against criminal groups, according to David Mora, an analyst for the International Crisis Group in Mexico.
According to AP News, this is Mexico signaling to the U.S to keep cooperation with sharing intelligence, rather than having U.S troops on Mexican soil.
The death of the biggest kingpin in Mexico has unleashed violence in the country. Members of the group have responded by attacking and blockading cities and starting attacks on property and security forces preventing civilians from going out, as stated in The Conversation.
At least 73 people have died from the aftermath of El Mencho’s killing.
This transition period will reshape local criminal groups, break alliances and create openings for new players and leaders. This very cycle of state enforcement and cartel reorganization helped El Mencho rise to prominence, according to The Conversation.
With immediate outbreak across the Mexican state of Jalisco, the state’s governor, Pablo Lemus Navarro, urged its 8 million citizens to stay at home “until the situation is brought back under control.”
The U.S embassy in Mexico City issued a security alert for U.S citizens, urging citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon to “shelter in place” in affected regions because of “security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity,” according to The Guardian.
The Canadian government warned that criminal organizations have erected roadblocks using burning vehicles across multiple cities in Jalisco, with armed clashes against security forces and explosions reported. It advised anyone in the area to stay inconspicuous and follow news coverage as the situation continues to develop rapidly.
Sheinbaum emphasized that her administration is in full coordination with all state governments, urging the public to stay informed but remain calm. She noted that official security cabinet channels are providing ongoing updates, and that life is continuing as normal throughout most of the country.