February 24, 2026
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, globally known as El Mencho, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Mexico, and died on Sunday, February 22, 2026, during a high-stakes military operation in the state of Jalisco.
The operation, which involved intense gunfights and strategic intelligence sharing between the U.S. and Mexico, marks the end of an era for one of the world’s most violent criminal organizations.
Let’s understand more about Mexico’s previously most wanted man, El Mencho.
Who Was El Mencho?
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was born in 1966 into a poor family in the state of Michoacán, Mexico.
Before he became a global Mexican drug lord, he worked in avocado fields and dropped out of primary school to help his family.
In the 1980s, he migrated illegally to California, where he was eventually arrested for selling heroin and deported.
Interestingly, Oseguera Cervantes once served as a police officer in Mexico before fully committing to organized crime. He used his law enforcement knowledge to build the CJNG from the remnants of the Milenio Cartel.
Over the years, he became known as a “shadowy” figure who avoided the flashy lifestyle of other kingpins, preferring to hide in the rugged mountains of western Mexico.
What Happened to El Mencho in Mexico?
El Mencho was the most wanted man in Mexico and a primary target for United States federal agencies.
On February 22, 2026, Mexican special forces located the kingpin in a wooded compound near the town of Tapalpa. Reports indicate that authorities tracked a romantic partner of Oseguera Cervantes to the site.
When federal troops arrived, they were met with heavy gunfire from the leader’s private security detail.
During the battle, El Mencho was seriously wounded while attempting to flee into the forest. He was captured and placed on a military helicopter for an emergency transfer to Mexico City. However, the defense ministry confirmed that he died from his injuries while in the air.
Why Did the U.S. Want El Mencho Eliminated?
The United States had placed a $15 million bounty on the head of Mexico’s most wanted man. Federal agencies labeled the CJNG as one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world. They blamed the group for flooding American streets with fentanyl and methamphetamine, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the operation as a major victory for international security:
“This is a great development for Mexico, the U.S., Latin America, and the world,” Landau stated. “The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”
Furthermore, White House officials confirmed that while the physical raid was carried out by Mexican troops, the U.S. provided “complementary intelligence” that was essential for pinpointing the hidden compound.
U.S. pressure on drug-trafficking networks has also extended beyond Mexico.
America had earlier pursued criminal charges against Nicolás Maduro Moros and others accused of using Venezuelan state power to aid cocaine flows.
The Impact of El Mencho’s Death
The El Mencho death has left a massive power vacuum in Mexico. In the immediate aftermath, at least 25 members of the National Guard were killed in clashes with cartel loyalists.
Major cities like Guadalajara saw schools closed and flights canceled as residents stayed indoors to avoid the crossfire.
Within hours of the announcement, CJNG operatives launched coordinated retaliatory attacks across multiple states. Armed groups set fire to buses and cargo trucks to block highways, a tactic commonly referred to as narco-blockades.
Several fuel stations and convenience stores were looted or torched, while gunmen reportedly hijacked vehicles to create road barricades, paralyzing transportation corridors in western Mexico.
Security experts warn that while the leader is gone, the cartel’s structure remains. There is a high probability of internal fighting as lieutenants struggle for control of the organization’s vast financial resources.
Rival groups, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, may also use this moment of weakness to start new territorial wars.
Experts caution that while one of Mexico’s most feared kingpins is gone, the structural foundations of organized crime remain intact.
Conclusion
The era of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes has come to a violent end. For years, the Mexican drug lord evaded the law by staying mobile and using extreme force against anyone who challenged him.
While the news that El Mencho was eliminated is a landmark achievement for both Mexico and the United States, the country now faces a period of deep uncertainty.
The focus now turns to whether the Mexican government can maintain order as new leaders emerge from the shadows of the CJNG.
Maria Isabel Rodrigues
FAQs
- Was El Mencho assassinated?
No, official reports describe his death as the result of an active gunfight between federal troops and cartel gunmen. The Mexican government stated their primary goal was his arrest, but the intensity of the resistance led to the fatal injuries sustained during the raid.
- What are Mexican cartels fighting for?
Mexican cartels fight for “plazas,” which are lucrative drug smuggling routes, and control over local industries like mining and farming.
