Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), sparking a wave of violence across several states, including Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas.
The operation took place in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday. Oseguera, 59, popularly known as “El Mencho”, was wounded in a clash with soldiers and died en route to Mexico City. The United States had placed a $15 million bounty on his head.
Al Jazeera reports that following the raid, gunmen torched vehicles and blocked highways in multiple states.
Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital and a host city for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, turned into a ghost town as civilians stayed indoors. Videos circulating on social media showed panicked crowds fleeing through Guadalajara airport, while smoke rose over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus urged residents to remain home and suspended public transport, while schools in several states cancelled classes on Monday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the security forces on X, calling for calm and stating, “There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states. In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality.”
Sunday’s raid, conducted with “complementary information” from US authorities, also left four CJNG members dead on site and two more dying in transit to Mexico City. Two others were arrested, while authorities seized armoured vehicles, rocket launchers, and other weapons. Three military personnel were wounded and are receiving treatment.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed the operation, calling Oseguera “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins” and “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America and the world.”
The US State Department warned Americans in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon to stay in safe locations.
Canada issued similar travel advisories, particularly for Puerto Vallarta, citing active shootouts and explosions, while Air Canada, United Airlines and American Airlines cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.
Oseguera co-founded CJNG around 2007. A former police officer and avocado farmer, he built the cartel into what the FBI considers Mexico’s most powerful trafficking network, controlling large portions of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl entering the US.
Known for his secrecy, Oseguera maintained a low profile, with all known photographs decades old.
The operation represents one of the most significant blows to Mexican organised crime since the capture of Sinaloa cartel leaders Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael Zambada, now both in US custody.
Authorities continue to monitor CJNG activities closely as Mexico faces the dual challenge of maintaining security ahead of the FIFA World Cup and curbing retaliatory violence from cartel factions.
