Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)—one of the world's largest drug trafficking organizations—was killed in a Mexican military operation. The raid was conducted with US support as President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Mexico to crack down on drug cartels. While the Trump administration hailed the operation as a major breakthrough against Latin American drug organizations, retaliatory violence has spread across Mexico, heightening security concerns.
According to Reuters and other sources on January 22 (local time), the Mexican government announced it had killed El Mencho during a military operation in Jalisco state. Mexican forces killed four cartel members at the scene, while three key figures including El Mencho died from injuries sustained during transport after their capture. Two others were arrested, and heavy weapons including armored vehicles and rocket launchers were seized. Three Mexican soldiers were also wounded in the firefight.
The operation was carried out directly by Mexican military forces with support from the Joint Interagency Cartel Response Task Force involving the US government. US authorities reportedly tracked the cartel leadership's location through satellite surveillance and communications interception, sharing the intelligence with Mexican authorities.
Born into a poor farming family, El Mencho worked as a police officer before entering the criminal world through connections with drug organizations in the 1990s. After serving approximately three years in the United States on drug distribution conspiracy charges in 1994, he was deported to Mexico where he expanded his influence. He founded CJNG in Jalisco state in 2010 and rapidly grew the organization into one of Mexico's largest drug cartels.
Analysts suggest the Trump administration's pressure played a significant role in the operation. In an interview with Fox News last month, President Trump stated, "We are now going to begin ground operations against the cartels," adding, "It is deplorable to watch the cartels control Mexico." The remarks sparked controversy as they implied possible US military intervention on Mexican territory, reportedly putting considerable pressure on the Mexican government.
The US government welcomed El Mencho's death. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Just received word that Mexican security forces have eliminated one of the most brutal and ruthless drug lords." He added, "This is a major step forward for Mexico, the United States, Latin America, and the world."
However, some warn the operation could trigger new instability in Mexico. Following El Mencho's killing, cartel members blocked roads by setting vehicles ablaze in Jalisco and neighboring regions. Professor José María Ramos García noted: "The violent backlash following El Mencho's death demonstrates the enormous capacity of these organizations and shows they have grown even stronger. It is also a challenge to the state."
As violence spread, Jalisco state ordered emergency school closures on January 23 and suspended public transportation. Various events including a Mexico-Iceland national soccer match were canceled. US carriers Alaska, United, and Southwest, along with Canadian airlines WestJet and Air Canada, suspended flights to Jalisco. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged: "We are maintaining perfect coordination with all state governments. We must verify accurate information and remain calm."