MEXICO CITY — The remains of notorious drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely recognized by his alias ‘El Mencho,’ have been released to his relatives after Mexican military forces killed him in an operation last week, government officials announced Saturday.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office issued a statement on X confirming they had completed all required legal procedures before turning over the body to family members.
“Genetic tests were carried out to confirm that there were indeed blood ties between the person who requested the release and the deceased,” the agency stated.
The death of Mexico’s most influential cartel leader triggered widespread revenge attacks spanning approximately 20 states throughout the country. The violent backlash claimed the lives of more than 70 individuals.
This surge in bloodshed has raised concerns that the violence might negatively impact the nation’s tourism industry as the FIFA World Cup approaches later this year.
American authorities had placed a bounty of up to $15 million on El Mencho for information that would lead to his capture. He commanded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, recognized as among Mexico’s most influential and rapidly expanding criminal enterprises since its establishment around 2009.
This past February 2025, the Trump administration classified the organization as a foreign terrorist group.
The elimination of this major crime figure represents the Mexican government’s most significant victory in demonstrating to the Trump administration its commitment to combating drug cartels.
