In a significant blow to organized crime, Mexican security forces have eliminated Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a meticulously planned military operation in Jalisco state on Sunday. The raid, which involved multiple branches of Mexico’s security apparatus and included international cooperation, resulted in intense firefights that claimed the lives of four cartel members. El Mencho and two of his personal security detail sustained critical injuries during the confrontation and subsequently died while being medically evacuated to Mexico City via aircraft.
The demise of Mexico’s most powerful drug lord has triggered widespread retaliatory violence across twenty states, with criminal elements torching commercial vehicles and businesses, forcing the suspension of flight operations in Puerto Vallarta, and prompting widespread school closures. Despite the escalating chaos, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum maintained that the situation remained under control, emphasizing her administration’s commitment to national security while acknowledging isolated attacks on National Guard personnel.
Belizean officials have responded to the crisis by issuing travel advisories warning citizens to avoid highway travel in affected regions. Ambassador Oliver Arnold, Belize’s diplomatic representative to Mexico, characterized the violent backlash as predictable, noting that such outbursts routinely follow the capture or elimination of high-level cartel leadership. The ambassador confirmed that the operation culminating in El Mencho’s death had been in development for several months, involving coordinated intelligence and tactical planning.
The escalating violence has particularly impacted the Belizean student community in Mexico, with educational institutions canceling classes and many students opting to return home. Social media platforms have circulated firsthand accounts of the deteriorating security situation, including one student who abandoned her studies in Guadalajara after videos emerged showing armed confrontations at the local airport. While U.S. defense officials acknowledged providing support for the operation, they unequivocally credited Mexican military forces with the successful outcome.