Mexico News LIVE: El Mencho Killed in Major Jalisco Security Operation
Mexico’s western state of Jalisco witnessed a massive security operation on Sunday, targeting the notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as El Mencho. He led the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country’s most feared criminal organizations. The operation included key cities such as Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, drawing nationwide attention due to its scale and violence.
According to Mexico’s Defense Ministry, Oseguera was seriously injured during a shootout in Tapala, Jalisco. He later died while being airlifted to Mexico City. U.S. authorities reportedly provided “complementary information” to assist Mexican forces. The incident marks a major blow to CJNG, weakening its hold over western Mexico.
Chaos and Violence Across Jalisco
The operation triggered widespread unrest. Cartel members reportedly set multiple vehicles on fire and blocked highways across several states to slow down security forces. Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro confirmed the incidents but did not name the groups responsible. Security forces engaged gunmen at multiple points, leaving four individuals dead at the scene, with three more, including El Mencho, injured and later confirmed dead.
The streets of Guadalajara and surrounding areas experienced hours of roadblocks, as cartel members attempted to resist the crackdown. Mexican authorities have been intensifying operations against organized crime amid threats of U.S. intervention, and this high-profile strike is part of that strategy.
U.S. Response and Citizen Alert
Washington welcomed the news of El Mencho’s death. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called it a “great development” for Mexico, the U.S., and Latin America. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department issued a “shelter in place” alert for citizens in parts of Mexico due to heightened criminal activity. Authorities urged travelers to exercise caution, particularly in Jalisco and nearby states.
Significance of El Mencho’s Death
El Mencho’s demise leaves a leadership vacuum in one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels. Experts warn that CJNG could attempt retaliatory attacks in the coming days, while federal forces remain on high alert. Analysts view this operation as a major step in Mexico’s ongoing campaign to dismantle organized crime networks. The event also highlights close cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities in countering transnational cartels, signaling an intensified regional focus on security.
