A major blow to Mexico’s criminal underworld has been dealt with the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The operation to capture Oseguera Cervantes, which took place in Jalisco state on February 22, 2026, resulted in his death after clashes with Mexican forces and sparked a wave of retaliatory violence across the country. This marks the most significant takedown of a cartel leader in Mexico since the recapture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán a decade ago.
The killing of “El Mencho” has triggered widespread unrest, with cartel members responding by torching vehicles and blocking roads in at least 20 Mexican states. The violence has disrupted daily life, prompting school closures in several states and causing residents of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, to shelter in place. The incident raises questions about the future of the CJNG and the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in Mexico, as well as the potential implications for relations with the United States.
Oseguera Cervantes, 59, rose through the ranks of Mexican organized crime over three decades. He began his criminal career with a three-year prison sentence in the United States in 1994 for heroin trafficking, according to reports. Upon his return to Mexico, he eventually founded the CJNG around 2009, transforming it into one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most ruthless criminal organizations, specializing in the trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamines, fentanyl and migrants.
‘El Mencho’ and the Rise of the CJNG
The CJNG, under Oseguera Cervantes’ leadership, gained notoriety for its brazen attacks on Mexican security forces. In 2015, the cartel downed a military helicopter in Jalisco, demonstrating its capacity for sophisticated and aggressive tactics. They similarly attempted an assassination of Mexico City Police Chief Omar García Harfuch, now the federal security secretary, though the attempt was unsuccessful. The cartel expanded its revenue streams through fuel theft, extortion, and even timeshare fraud, according to reports.
The operation leading to Oseguera Cervantes’ death involved a coordinated effort by the Mexican army and National Guard, utilizing air force support and special forces in the southern part of Jalisco state. According to Mexico’s Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla, intelligence gathered regarding one of Oseguera Cervantes’ romantic partners led authorities to his location. A subsequent confrontation resulted in the deaths of eight cartel members, and Oseguera Cervantes and two of his bodyguards were fatally wounded during transport to Mexico City.
Authorities seized rocket launchers capable of destroying armored vehicles and downing aircraft at the scene, highlighting the firepower at the cartel’s disposal.
Implications for US-Mexico Relations
The death of Oseguera Cervantes is expected to bolster the Mexican government’s position in its dealings with the United States, which has been pressuring Mexico to take stronger action against drug cartels. Both countries have acknowledged the importance of intelligence cooperation in the operation that led to his capture. The US State Department had offered a US$15 million reward for information leading to Oseguera Cervantes’ arrest, and the Trump administration previously designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau applauded the operation on X, stating, “The good guys are stronger than the bad guys. Congratulations to the forces of law and order in the great Mexican nation.” Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA, suggested that Mexico had sent “a strong message” to the Trump administration, demonstrating its commitment to combating powerful cartels, adding that “the majority of the information came from the Mexican armed forces and all credit goes to Mexico.”
Uncertain Future for the CJNG
The death of “El Mencho” leaves a significant power vacuum within the CJNG, and it remains unclear who will succeed him. The cartel maintains a presence in at least 21 of Mexico’s 32 states and operates extensively within the United States, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Its global reach extends beyond Mexico, making the impact of Oseguera Cervantes’ death far-reaching.
Vigil described Oseguera Cervantes as a “dictator” within the organization, suggesting his absence could initially weaken the cartel and create opportunities for the Sinaloa cartel, with which the CJNG has been engaged in conflict. However, the Sinaloa cartel is also facing internal power struggles between the sons of “El Chapo” and the faction loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who is currently in US custody.
Security analyst David Saucedo cautioned that the violence could continue if relatives of Oseguera Cervantes assume control of the cartel. A more extreme scenario, he warned, could involve the cartel resorting to “narcoterrorism attacks,” reminiscent of the violence seen in Colombia in the 1990s, including car bombings and assassinations.
The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining the CJNG’s trajectory and the broader impact on Mexico’s security landscape. Authorities will be closely monitoring the cartel’s response and working to prevent further escalation of violence. The situation underscores the complex challenges facing Mexico in its ongoing fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
