Mexico’s most wanted man, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — widely known as “El Mencho” — has been killed during a military operation aimed at arresting him, according to Mexico’s defence ministry.
El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), died Sunday while being transported to Mexico City after being seriously wounded in clashes between his supporters and the army.
Four alleged CJNG members were killed during the operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco state, and three soldiers were injured. Authorities said the United States provided intelligence that helped carry out the mission.
Following news of his death, cartel members reportedly set vehicles on fire, erected roadblocks and attacked security forces across eight states. The U.S. State Department issued a shelter-in-place alert for American citizens in parts of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged residents to remain calm, saying that most areas of the country were operating normally.
A 59-year-old former police officer, El Mencho led a powerful criminal network responsible for trafficking large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States. The U.S. State Department had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Mexico’s defence ministry said the operation was carried out by special forces, with support from the Mexican Air Force and National Guard. Authorities seized armored vehicles and weapons, including rocket launchers.
Violence spread to several cities, including Guadalajara and the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, where transportation disruptions left travelers stranded. Public transport was suspended in parts of Jalisco, and multiple airlines canceled or diverted flights to the region.
U.S. officials described El Mencho as one of the most violent cartel leaders in recent history. Security analysts say his death marks a major blow to organized crime in Mexico, though concerns remain about potential retaliatory violence from the cartel.