Mexico Plunged into Chaos After Death of Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’
Mexico City – The death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has unleashed widespread violence across Mexico, turning cities into virtual battlegrounds and prompting travel warnings from the United States and Canada. The Mexican army killed El Mencho on Sunday during an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, a region central to the cartel’s operations and a key transit point for fentanyl and other drugs headed to the United States.
The operation, carried out with intelligence support from U.S. authorities, resulted in the deaths of at least ten people, including members of the National Guard and a local jail guard, and left several wounded, according to reports. Armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and other weaponry were seized.
In the wake of the operation, CJNG responded with a wave of coordinated attacks. Burning vehicles blocked roads in nearly a dozen states, disrupting transportation and daily life. Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital and a host city for upcoming World Cup matches, became a “ghost town” as residents sheltered in place. Schools were closed Monday in multiple states. Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising over the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, and panicked scenes at the city’s airport. Air Canada suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta due to the “ongoing security situation.”
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a statement acknowledging the bilateral cooperation that led to El Mencho’s death, while the U.S. State Department urged American citizens in five Mexican states – Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon – to shelter in place. Canada’s embassy issued similar guidance for its citizens in Puerto Vallarta and urged a low profile throughout Jalisco.
El Mencho, who had been indicted in the U.S. on drug trafficking and firearms charges, carried a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest. The CJNG, founded in 2009, has rapidly grown to become one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, rivaling the infamous Sinaloa Cartel in reach and influence. The cartel is a major supplier of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine to the U.S. market.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has faced pressure to address drug trafficking, applauded the security forces’ actions and called for calm. Analysts note a shift towards more confrontational tactics by the Mexican army under Sheinbaum’s leadership, signaling a willingness to cooperate with the U.S. without necessarily inviting a direct U.S. military presence on Mexican soil.
“This is signaling to the U.S. that if we keep cooperating, sharing intelligence, Mexico can do it, we don’t need U.S. troops on Mexican soil," said David Mora, an analyst for International Crisis Group in Mexico.
The killing of El Mencho comes after years of a “kingpin” strategy that has seen previous administrations target cartel leaders, often with the unintended consequence of fracturing organizations and escalating violence. The CJNG, known for its aggressive tactics – including attacks on military helicopters and the use of drones and landmines – has proven particularly resilient. In 2020, the cartel launched a brazen attack in Mexico City against the then-head of the capital’s police force.
This story contains information from NDTV and Reuters.