Mexican security forces killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday in an operation that involved the air force, special forces and US intelligence support — but the cartel’s violent response across 20 states showed the risks of targeting Mexico’s most powerful drug lord.
The operation in Tapalpa, a town in Jalisco state, ended with Oseguera Cervantes — known as “El Mencho,” a moniker that roughly translates as “the guy with the bad taste” — dying from wounds sustained in a firefight.
Within hours, cartel gunmen set fire to vehicles and blocked roads nationwide in coordinated reprisals.
Mexican army troops backed by the air force and special forces launched the operation in southern Jalisco state on Sunday, according to Mexico’s Defence Ministry.
Washington provided intelligence support that helped locate the 59-year-old cartel leader.
When troops moved in to arrest him in Tapalpa, cartel members opened fire.
Four cartel members were killed immediately in the firefight. Three others, including Oseguera Cervantes, were wounded. The cartel leader died while being transported by air to Mexico City, the ministry said.
Mexican forces seized rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft, armoured vehicles and other weapons at the scene. Two people were detained.
Three soldiers were wounded during the operation.
Cartel’s violent response
Within hours of the operation, cartel gunmen launched coordinated attacks across Mexico. Vehicles were set on fire and used to block highways in more than 250 locations across 20 states, Mexico’s Security Cabinet said.
The violence hit hardest in Jalisco and neighbouring states where the cartel maintains its strongest presence.
Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city and Jalisco’s capital, became a ghost town as residents stayed indoors.
Tourists in Puerto Vallarta reported panic and explosions. US airlines including Southwest, Alaska and Delta cancelled flights to the resort city. The US State Department urged American citizens in affected areas to shelter in place.
Schools were cancelled on Monday in several states. Guatemala reinforced security along its border with Mexico.
Authorities cleared most roadblocks by Sunday night, but the violence demonstrated the cartel’s capacity to disrupt the country even after losing its leader.
Who was El Mencho?
The Jalisco cartel leader was one of the most wanted criminals in both Mexico and the US.
The US State Department offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest — the highest bounty for any Mexican drug trafficker.
He was wanted on multiple US federal indictments for trafficking methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl into the United States. He faced charges under the Drug Kingpin Enforcement Act for directing a continuing criminal enterprise.
Trump designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel a foreign terrorist organisation in February 2025, increasing pressure on Mexico to target its leadership.
The killing represents a major boost for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government, which has faced demands from Trump’s administration to show results in fighting cartels.
Trump has threatened tariffs and even unilateral military action if Mexico fails to curb drug trafficking.
The cartel he built
Oseguera Cervantes founded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel around 2009 after serving as chief of hitmen for the Milenio Cartel. He transformed it into Mexico’s fastest-growing criminal organisation.
The cartel earned notoriety for militarised tactics including shooting down a Mexican military helicopter in 2015 and attempting to assassinate Mexico City’s police chief in 2020. It pioneered the use of drones carrying explosives.
Under his leadership, the cartel established operations in at least 21 of Mexico’s 32 states and across all 50 US states, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. It became a primary source of fentanyl entering the United States.
Oseguera Cervantes had been involved in drug trafficking for more than three decades. He was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in California in 1994 and served nearly three years in prison before being deported to Mexico.
What happens next
The cartel has no clear successor. Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA, said Oseguera Cervantes “controlled everything, he was like a country’s dictator.”
Security analyst David Saucedo warned that if relatives take control, violence could continue. If others seize power, they might seek to stabilise operations.
The worst scenario would be indiscriminate attacks against the government similar to Colombia in the 1990s, including car bombs and assassinations, Saucedo said.
El Mancho’s death is the most significant blow against Mexican cartels since the recapture of Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán a decade ago.
