The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, was killed on Sunday.
Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, was killed in a Mexican military operation in Jalisco on Sunday, officials said. The death of the drug cartel leader sparked violence throughout Puerto Vallarta, Tapalpa, Guadalajara and other cities. Meanwhile, the United States responded to the operation, saying it was a “great development.”
US reaction to the killing of El Mencho
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau tweeted: I just learned that Mexican security forces killed “El Mencho,” one of the deadliest and ruthless drug cartel leaders. This is a great development for Mexico, the United States, Latin America and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys./Los buenos somos más que los malos. “Congratulations to the power of public order of the great Mexican nation.”
Read more: The killing of El Mencho: 5 things to know about Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes
Inside the operation that killed Al-Manchu
An official told Reuters and the Associated Press that the Mexican army killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes. The killing came several hours after roadblocks were set up and cars were burned in Jalisco and other states. Videos on social media showed plumes of smoke rising over Puerto Vallarta. The city’s airport also issued an alert.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemos revealed the first details. He wrote on the
“I have given instructions to immediately establish a security coordination table with authorities from all three levels of government and activate Code Red in order to prevent actions against the population,” Lemos added.
He also retweeted a post confirming that the National Intelligence Center, the Attorney General’s Office (FEMDO) and the Mexican Army Special Forces planned and carried out the operation in Tapalpa.
The post added, “Various aircraft from the Air Force and the National Guard Immediate Response Force intervened to arrest Ruben “N” (A) Menchu.”
According to the tweet, military personnel were also attacked. “Therefore, defending their safety, they repelled the aggression, resulting in the death of four members of the criminal group “CJNG” at the scene and the serious injury of three others, who lost their lives while being airlifted to Mexico City; among them is Ruben “N” (a) Menchú. However, expert activities for their identification will be undertaken by the competent authorities.”
Read more: “The Americans were taken hostage…”: A major allegation after the death of El Mencho; Scary scenes in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara
He added, “In addition to the above, two other members of this criminal organization were arrested, and various weapons and armor were seized, including missile launchers capable of shooting down aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.”
The post also noted support from Washington.
Trump’s pressure on Mexico
The US State Department has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to El Mencho’s arrest. In February, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the “major” strategy followed by previous administrations that ousted cartel leaders only to provoke explosions of violence as the cartels disintegrated.
(with AP input)
Yash Bajaj is a Senior Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US desk of Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics – from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash was deputy news editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he dramatically expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and careful tracking of cross-platform trends. He has experience managing high-pressure breaking news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Before joining Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the US and Sports News team. He has developed broad editorial strategies, mentored reporters across multiple industries, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. Yash holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication (Journalism) from the Faculty of Human Resources, University of Mumbai. His interests extend beyond the newsroom: he is an avid explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys debunking conspiracy theories for fun.Read more
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