Mexico City, Mexico. Mexico’s defense ministry said Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” died in custody after being injured in a military raid on Sunday, triggering retaliatory violence in multiple states.
Death reported after operation in Jalisco
Oseguera, 60, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was injured during an operation carried out by Mexican special forces in the town of Tapalpa on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Jalisco state, the defense ministry said. It said he later died in custody.
His body arrived in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon in a heavily guarded convoy of National Guard troops.
U.S. intelligence support cited
Reuters reported on Sunday that a new U.S.-military-led task force played a role in the raid led and carried out by Mexican forces. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later posted on social media that the United States provided intelligence support.
Leavitt said the Trump administration “commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation.”
Retaliatory violence and travel disruption
After reports of Oseguera’s death, cartel gunmen blockaded highways with burning cars and torched businesses in more than a half a dozen states, paralyzing parts of the country. No civilian deaths have been reported.
In Puerto Vallarta, tourists described a “war zone” on social media as dark smoke rose from around the bay. Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines suspended flights in the area.
Political pressure and CJNG background
President Claudia Sheinbaum has faced mounting pressure from Washington to intensify operations against drug cartels blamed for producing and smuggling drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States.
Oseguera, a former police officer, founded the CJNG, named for the western state of Jalisco, which is home to Guadalajara. In recent years, CJNG has grown into one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels and is known for violent tactics including forced labor and forced recruitment.
How do you think the violence following the raid will affect travel and daily life in Mexico?
