Jalisco Cartel Leader Buried Amid Heavy Security in Mexico
Zapopan, Mexico – Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was buried Monday in a gold-plated casket in a cemetery near Guadalajara, Mexico, following a weekend of heightened security and public anxiety.
The funeral procession, held at the Recinto de La Paz cemetery in Zapopan, was heavily guarded by federal, state, and municipal security forces. A brass band played regional Mexican music, including the song “El muchacho alegre,” as the casket was carried into the chapel. The procession included three flatbed trucks transporting dozens of floral arrangements.
The burial comes after a military operation last week in Tapalpa, 130 kilometers south of Guadalajara, resulted in the death of Oseguera, 59. The operation triggered a wave of violence across Mexico, including road blockades, business fires, flight cancellations, and attacks on security forces. Authorities reported 25 members of the National Guard and more than 30 CJNG members were killed in the ensuing clashes, primarily in Jalisco state.
The presence of the body in Guadalajara prompted a significant security deployment by the Mexican Army, National Guard, and state police, causing tension and fear among residents. Jalisco is still recovering from disturbances on February 22, when Governor Pablo Lemus declared a “Red Code” alert for two days following the initial reports of Oseguera’s death and a violent response from cartel allies.
Floral tributes arrived at the funeral home throughout the weekend, including arrangements bearing the initials “CJNG” and one depicting a rooster, a reference to Oseguera’s nickname, “El Señor de los Gallos” (The Lord of the Roosters). Most arrangements arrived without sender identification.
The situation is particularly sensitive as Guadalajara is slated to be one of three Mexican cities hosting the FIFA World Cup in just 100 days. The recent unrest raises concerns about security during the international event.
The CJNG, under Oseguera’s leadership, has grown to become one of the most powerful and violent drug cartels in Mexico, challenging the dominance of more established organizations. Oseguera was also one of the most wanted drug traffickers by both Mexico and the United States.
