MEXICO CITY – Mexican military forces successfully eliminated the nation’s most sought-after drug trafficking leader during a weekend operation that resulted in widespread violent backlash across the country.
Nemesio Oseguera, known by his criminal alias ‘El Mencho,’ died during a complex military assault on Sunday. Oseguera controlled the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the primary organizations smuggling deadly fentanyl into American communities.
Mexican authorities provided a detailed account of the operation on Monday:
FEBRUARY 20: INTELLIGENCE BREAKTHROUGH
Intelligence operatives received crucial information from a confidential source connected to one of Oseguera’s romantic companions. This intelligence led authorities to track the companion to a compound located in Tapalpa, within Jalisco state, where the cartel leader was hiding. Government officials declined to release additional specifics about the location.
FEBRUARY 21: MILITARY MOBILIZATION
After the romantic partner departed the compound, Mexican intelligence agencies verified that Oseguera remained inside under armed protection from his security detail.
A massive force comprising army units, National Guard military police, elite tactical teams, combat aircraft and six helicopters deployed to the region under strict secrecy.
According to a U.S. defense official speaking to Reuters, a recently established American military task force focused on cartel intelligence gathering provided assistance during the operation.
FEBRUARY 22: THE ASSAULT
Before sunrise, Mexican ground troops surrounded the target area in preparation for a prolonged confrontation. Armed cartel members initiated combat, but specialized units successfully countered their assault, resulting in eight suspected criminal organization members being killed.
Oseguera and his closest associates escaped to a cabin compound situated in nearby forested terrain. Elite forces followed them into the wilderness, where additional armed confrontation occurred.
Once Mexican security personnel gained control of the scene, they discovered Oseguera and two of his bodyguards with serious injuries. Medical evacuation by helicopter was arranged to transport them to a treatment facility, however Oseguera succumbed to his injuries while airborne.
Meanwhile, the military action had sparked extensive violent retaliation from cartel operatives, preventing the helicopter from reaching its intended destination in Guadalajara, the Jalisco state capital. The aircraft was redirected to Morelia airport in neighboring Michoacan state, where Oseguera’s remains were transferred to a military aircraft heading to Mexico City.
FEBRUARY 22: ESCALATING RETALIATION
Violent responses rapidly expanded throughout the region.
Defense ministry officials identified an individual known as ‘El Tuli’ – described as Oseguera’s primary lieutenant and chief financial coordinator – as the organizer behind numerous roadway blockades, arson incidents and attacks targeting government facilities throughout Jalisco state.
Law enforcement reported that ‘El Tuli’ was providing financial incentives of 20,000 pesos ($1,100) for the assassination of military personnel.
Security forces tracked ‘El Tuli’ to El Grullo, a small municipality approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) southwest of Guadalajara. When confronted, he attempted to escape by vehicle and engaged the arrest team in combat. He was fatally wounded during the confrontation.
Multiple commercial airlines suspended service to Puerto Vallarta, a popular Pacific coast resort destination in Jalisco state, where shocked vacationers recorded video of smoke columns rising above the city.
Throughout various municipalities, tourists and local residents received advisories to remain indoors while commercial truckers were instructed to utilize alternative routes or return to their facilities. Educational institutions including schools and universities suspended operations across Jalisco and multiple neighboring states.
Government officials reported Monday that approximately 30 suspected criminal organization members, 25 National Guard personnel, and one civilian died in the violence following the initial raid. Additionally, at least 70 individuals were detained across seven states, while authorities documented 85 cartel-organized roadblocks on Sunday alone.
FEBRUARY 23: RESTORING ORDER
During a Monday press briefing, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that roadblocks had been cleared as of Monday morning. She indicated that conditions were anticipated to return to normal and that airline operations should resume Monday or Tuesday.
Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch stated that individuals considered potential successors to Oseguera’s cartel leadership position were under intensive government monitoring. He emphasized that authorities remained vigilant for additional retaliatory actions from the organization or competing cartels seeking territorial expansion.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that Mexico ‘must step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!’ Mexico serves as America’s primary trading partner, and the North American trade agreement faces review this year.
