Mexico City – In a significant blow to the country’s drug trafficking landscape, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the founder and leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in a military operation on Sunday morning. The operation, carried out in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco state, marks the most substantial takedown of a Mexican drug capo since the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán in 2016.
According to the Mexican Defense Ministry, Oseguera, believed to be 59, sustained fatal wounds during the assault and died while being airlifted to Mexico City for medical treatment alongside other injured cartel members. Six other operatives were also killed in the operation, and three soldiers were injured. The news of El Mencho’s death triggered a wave of violence across western Mexico, with reports of torched vehicles and blocked roads in more than half a dozen states.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, under Oseguera’s leadership, has rapidly risen to become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico, rivaling the once-dominant Sinaloa Cartel. The CJNG has been instrumental in smuggling billions of dollars worth of cocaine and fentanyl into the United States, and has expanded its influence through drug trafficking, extortion, and fuel theft.
The takedown comes as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government faces increasing pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on U.S.-bound drug trafficking. Sheinbaum responded to the news with a call for calm, urging citizens to remain informed amidst the unfolding chaos. “We must remain informed and calm,” she posted on X. “In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality.”
The CJNG, under Oseguera, aggressively expanded its territory, incorporating smaller criminal bands and exerting influence over police, judges, prosecutors, and politicians. The cartel is known for its military-like structure and its use of advanced weaponry, including armored vehicles, land mines, and drones. In 2015, the CJNG was blamed for downing a Mexican military helicopter with U.S.-made .50-caliber machine-gun rounds, resulting in the deaths of nine law enforcement officials.
U.S. Authorities had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Oseguera’s arrest or conviction. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City confirmed that the operation was planned and executed by Mexican Special Forces, with U.S. Authorities providing “complementary intelligence.” Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of State, hailed the development as “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America and the world,” stating, “The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”
Derek Maltz, retired former acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, described Oseguera as “one of the most dangerous narco terrorists in the world who’s responsible for killing historic amounts of Americans,” referencing the surge in U.S. Deaths from fentanyl overdoses. Maltz praised Mexico’s recent efforts to increase pressure on criminal groups, noting the extradition of numerous suspected cartel operatives to the United States.
Oseguera’s history is marked by a complex journey between Mexico and the United States. He initially entered the U.S. Illegally in the 1980s, spending years in California before being arrested on drug charges and deported. He returned to the U.S. Illegally and was arrested again in 1992, serving three years in prison before being deported a second time. Upon his return to Mexico, he transitioned from a small-time drug dealer to a powerful cartel leader.
The death of El Mencho follows a pattern of cartel leadership takedowns that have historically failed to significantly disrupt the flow of drugs into the United States. Experts suggest that the lucrative nature of the drug trade ensures that new leaders will emerge to fill the void. However, the potential for increased violence in the wake of Oseguera’s death is a significant concern.
Reports from Jalisco indicate widespread disruption, with cartel members reportedly pulling people from vehicles and setting them on fire. Roadblocks and shootouts were reported in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and several other states. A family sheltering in place in Jalisco described scenes of chaos and fear, with burning vehicles visible throughout the region.
Oseguera’s son, Rubén Oseguera González, known as “El Menchito,” was captured and extradited to the U.S. In February 2020. He was convicted in 2024 on drug and weapons charges and is currently serving a life sentence at a maximum-security federal prison in Florence, Colorado. His daughter, Jessica Johanna Oseguera González, also faced legal consequences, pleading guilty to violations of the Kingpin Act and serving a prison sentence before her release in 2022.
While authorities express optimism about the impact of Oseguera’s death, the long-term consequences remain uncertain. The potential for a power struggle within the CJNG and the risk of escalating violence pose significant challenges for Mexican security forces. The situation is being closely monitored by both Mexican and U.S. Authorities as they assess the fallout from this major operation.
