Mexico’s most wanted figure and head of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho”, has been killed in a military operation intended to apprehend him, the country’s defence ministry has confirmed.
El Mencho died on Sunday while being transferred to Mexico City after suffering severe injuries during clashes between his supporters and troops.
Four CJNG members were killed in Tapalpa, Jalisco state, during the mission, while three soldiers sustained injuries. Mexican officials said intelligence supplied by the United States assisted the operation.
In the aftermath, CJNG members torched vehicles, erected roadblocks and launched attacks on security forces across eight states.
The US State Department issued a shelter-in-place alert for American citizens in Jalisco and Tamaulipas, as well as parts of Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, called on citizens to remain “calm”. In a post on X, she stated that “in most parts of the country, activities are proceeding normally”.
El Mencho, 59, previously served as a police officer before leading a major criminal organisation accused of smuggling significant quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States. The US State Department had earlier announced a $15m (£11.1m) reward for information leading to his arrest.
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In a statement, the Mexican defence ministry said the operation was “planned and executed” by special forces.
Aircraft from the Mexican Air Force and the National Guard were mobilised, and multiple armoured vehicles and weapons, including rocket launchers, were confiscated. The ministry reiterated that US intelligence contributed to the mission.
Footage circulating online showed heavy smoke billowing over several cities, including Guadalajara, one of the host cities for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup.
In the seaside resort of Puerto Vallarta, thousands of tourists were reportedly left stranded amid the unrest. Throughout Sunday, reports indicated the presence of armed men on the streets in parts of Jalisco and other states.
Jalisco governor, Pablo Lemus Navarro, urged residents on social media to adhere to a code red warning and stay indoors. Public transport services across the state were halted.
US carriers such as United Airlines and American Airlines, along with Air Canada, cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. A Delta Air Lines flight travelling from Atlanta to Guadalajara was rerouted to Austin, according to flight-tracking service Flight Aware.
Former US ambassador to Mexico and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described El Mencho as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”
He said El Mencho’s death was “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world”.
(BBC News)