TAPALPA, Jalisco – The final hours of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), unfolded with a precision operation guided by intelligence – including crucial information from the United States – and ultimately ended in a violent clash in the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico. The operation, launched Sunday, resulted in the death of Oseguera Cervantes and six others, sparking a wave of retaliatory violence across the country that has left dozens dead, including 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard.
Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla detailed the operation Monday, explaining that authorities were led to Oseguera Cervantes after a woman close to him was tracked to a remote location near Tapalpa. “Information additional and very important that was given to us by the United States” proved critical in pinpointing his location, Trevilla said. The culmination of years of tracking by both Mexican and U.S. Authorities, Oseguera Cervantes was one of the most wanted men in Mexico and a key target in the fight against transnational drug trafficking.
The operation began Sunday night, with special forces encircling the area where Oseguera Cervantes was believed to be hiding. A force of six helicopters and additional special forces units were placed on standby in neighboring states, while the Mexican Air Force provided reconnaissance and support. As the forces moved in, Oseguera Cervantes and his bodyguards opened fire, initiating a firefight that left three of his security detail dead alongside him. The three died while being transported by helicopter to a hospital due to the severity of their injuries, according to officials.
A Cartel’s Response and a Bountry on Soldiers’ Lives
The death of “El Mencho” triggered a swift and brutal response from the CJNG. Authorities say a high-ranking member of the cartel, identified only as “El Tuli,” offered more than $1,000 USD – 20,000 pesos – for the death of each member of the Mexican military. This bounty fueled a surge in violence, with reports of roadblocks, vehicle fires, and attacks on security forces spreading across at least seven states.
The violence claimed the lives of at least 70 people, including 25 National Guard members in Jalisco, a state prosecutor, a prison guard, and a woman caught in the crossfire. Four additional individuals were killed in clashes in the neighboring state of Michoacán, and 15 security personnel were injured there, according to security officials.
Intelligence and the Final Pursuit
The operation to capture Oseguera Cervantes was meticulously planned, building on years of intelligence gathering. According to Trevilla, the investigation began with a woman close to the cartel leader. A trusted associate of the woman transported her to Tapalpa on Friday to meet with Oseguera Cervantes. After spending the night with him, she left, allowing authorities to confirm his presence and begin preparations for the raid.
The decision to transport Oseguera Cervantes and his wounded bodyguards to Mexico City, rather than a hospital in Jalisco, was made out of concern for a potential reaction from the cartel, officials said.
During the initial confrontation, eight cartel members were killed at the hideout, where authorities discovered two rocket launchers, including one similar to the weapon used by the CJNG in 2015 to down a military helicopter – a brazen act that demonstrated the cartel’s willingness to confront the authorities with overwhelming force. Oseguera Cervantes attempted to escape into a wooded area, but was cornered by special forces and wounded in a second firefight.
“El Tuli” was later located and killed by a paratrooper brigade, authorities said. He was found carrying nearly $1 million USD and the equivalent of $400,000 USD in Mexican pesos.
Ongoing Security Concerns and National Response
The Mexican government has deployed an additional 2,500 soldiers to western Mexico, bringing the total number of troops deployed since Sunday to approximately 9,500, according to the BBC. The increased military presence aims to quell the ongoing violence and restore order in the region. President Claudia Sheinbaum was kept informed throughout the operation while on a tour in northern Mexico.
The death of “El Mencho” represents a significant blow to the CJNG, but the cartel’s reach and influence remain substantial. The retaliatory violence underscores the challenges facing Mexico in its ongoing struggle against drug trafficking and organized crime. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has long collaborated with Mexican authorities in targeting the CJNG and its leadership.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are continuing to monitor for further unrest. The Mexican government has vowed to maintain a strong security presence in the affected areas and to pursue all those responsible for the recent violence.
The next official update is expected from the Secretariat of National Defense later this week, detailing the ongoing security operations and the investigation into the events surrounding the death of “El Mencho” and the subsequent violence.
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