(VIDEO) El Mencho Dead: Who Killed Mexico's Drug Cartel Leader 'El Mencho'?

Mexican army forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as "El Mencho," during a military operation Sunday in the western state of Jalisco, the country's Secretariat of National Defense confirmed.

The death of one of the world's most wanted drug lords represents a significant victory for Mexican authorities and comes as the government faces intense pressure from the United States to curb the flow of fentanyl and other drugs across the border. Oseguera Cervantes, 59, died from wounds sustained in the predawn raid after he and two other injured cartel members were airlifted toward Mexico City for medical treatment.

The operation unfolded in the town of Tapalpa, roughly two hours southwest of Guadalajara, where troops attempting to capture El Mencho came under heavy gunfire from cartel gunmen. Four CJNG members were killed at the scene, according to the Defense Ministry. Three soldiers were wounded and are receiving care. Authorities recovered armored vehicles, high-powered weapons including rocket launchers, and other military-grade equipment.

A federal official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, described the mission as an arrest attempt that escalated into a deadly firefight. The ministry's statement on social media platform X detailed that Oseguera Cervantes was gravely injured during the exchange and succumbed en route to the capital.

El Mencho, born in Aguililla, Michoacán, rose from a former police officer to found and lead the CJNG around 2009. The cartel has since become one of Mexico's most dominant and violent organizations, controlling vast territories for fentanyl production and trafficking, methamphetamine manufacturing, cocaine distribution, extortion rackets and fuel theft. Its aggressive expansion and brutal tactics, including public displays of mutilated bodies and attacks on security forces, made it a primary target for both Mexican and U.S. law enforcement.

The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture or conviction, labeling the CJNG a foreign terrorist organization. El Mencho had evaded authorities for more than a decade, with repeated rumors of his death or serious illness proving unfounded until Sunday's confirmation.

The killing triggered immediate retaliatory violence across Jalisco and neighboring areas. Cartel gunmen set up roadblocks using burning vehicles, clashed with security forces and targeted public infrastructure in cities including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Reports emerged of shootouts, forced closures and shelter-in-place advisories as chaos spread.

The unrest severely disrupted air travel to the popular tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta. Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport suspended operations Sunday afternoon due to blocked access roads and nearby security incidents. Several international carriers, including Air Canada, United Airlines and WestJet, canceled or diverted flights to the destination, citing the ongoing situation. Other airlines monitored developments closely, with some advising passengers to avoid travel to the region.

Canada updated its travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential trips to parts of Jalisco, while the U.S. Embassy in Mexico warned American citizens there to shelter in place, limit movement and follow local media for updates. Puerto Vallarta, which attracts millions of visitors annually from North America, has generally avoided the worst of cartel violence in recent years despite being in CJNG territory, making the sudden disruptions particularly alarming for the tourism-dependent economy.

U.S. officials quickly praised the operation. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described it as a "great development" on social media, calling El Mencho "one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins." The takedown aligns with heightened U.S.-Mexico cooperation amid threats from the Trump administration to conduct unilateral actions inside Mexico if drug trafficking persists unchecked.

Analysts caution that El Mencho's death may not dismantle the CJNG entirely. The cartel has shown resilience in the past, with potential successors including family members and high-ranking lieutenants likely to compete for control. His son, Rubén Oseguera González ("El Menchito"), was extradited to the United States in 2020 and remains in custody facing drug charges.

"This is a decapitation strike on par with El Chapo's capture, but history shows these groups often splinter or reorganize rather than collapse," said a security analyst familiar with Mexican organized crime, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic. "Short-term violence is almost certain as factions vie for power."

The Mexican government has not released details on forensic identification or next steps, though multiple independent sources, including international media outlets and the Defense Ministry, corroborated the death. Federal reinforcements have been deployed to restore order in Jalisco, with authorities urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and report suspicious activity.

El Mencho's elimination arrives more than 15 years into Mexico's drug war, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and left powerful criminal enterprises controlling significant swaths of territory. While the operation provides a high-profile win for President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration — often criticized for its "hugs, not bullets" philosophy — experts stress that addressing underlying issues like poverty, corruption and demand for drugs remains essential to lasting progress.

As investigations continue and violence simmers in western Mexico, the focus shifts to how the CJNG evolves without its founder and whether this strike meaningfully disrupts the flow of deadly narcotics into the United States.

Originally published on ibtimes.com.au