Hugo ‘H’, known as ‘El Tuli’, a key logistical and financial operator for the Jalisco Fresh Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in a military operation on Sunday, February 22nd, according to Mexican Secretary of National Defense, Ricardo Trevilla.
Trevilla stated that ‘El Tuli’ coordinated roadblocks, vehicle fires, and attacks on military installations, the National Guard, businesses, and government buildings. He also allegedly offered 20,000 pesos – approximately 1,000 euros – for each soldier killed, a direct threat to federal forces operating in the region.
The operation to locate ‘El Tuli’ was based on military intelligence, and when authorities approached him in El Grullo, Jalisco, he attempted to flee in a vehicle while firing upon the military personnel. The resulting exchange of gunfire led to his death, Trevilla explained. El Grullo is located approximately 75 kilometers from Tapalpa, the same area where ‘El Mencho’, the leader of the CJNG, was reportedly neutralized in a separate operation.
Authorities recovered a large-caliber weapon, knives, ammunition, and more than 7 million Mexican pesos (approximately 350,000 euros) and nearly 1 million US dollars (approximately 850,000 euros) at the scene, according to the Secretary of National Defense.
‘El Tuli’ was considered a close confidant of Rubén Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, ‘El Mencho’, and played a crucial role in coordinating strategic operations for the CJNG. Following the reported death of ‘El Mencho’, ‘El Tuli’ organized the recent wave of blockades and attacks across multiple states, incentivizing cartel members to target military personnel with financial rewards.
The operation followed a request from former US President Donald Trump to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to “intensify efforts” against cartels following the reports of ‘El Mencho’s’ death.
