The end of one of the world's most dangerous drug lords
In a high-profile military operation conducted with US intelligence cooperation, Mexican authorities announced the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), considered one of the world’s most dangerous and powerful drug lords. This operation dealt a significant blow to Mexico’s largest criminal organization, but simultaneously triggered an unprecedented wave of violence in several states, raising questions about the future of the country’s drug war.
Details of the military operation and the violent reaction
The Mexican Ministry of Defense confirmed in an official statement that the operation took place in the town of Tepalcatepec, Michoacán, an area known as a cartel stronghold. During a fierce firefight, "El Mencho" was critically wounded and later died while being airlifted to Mexico City. The raid resulted in the deaths and injuries of several cartel members, as well as injuries to three Mexican soldiers. Armored vehicles, heavy weapons, and rocket launchers were also seized, reflecting the cartel's considerable military strength.
In retaliation, cartel members launched coordinated attacks in Jalisco state and neighboring areas, setting up roadblocks on highways and setting fire to dozens of vehicles and businesses in an attempt to paralyze security forces and sow chaos and panic among residents. Videos showed plumes of smoke rising over major cities like Guadalajara, prompting authorities to suspend flights and issue warnings for residents to stay indoors.
Who is “El Mencho” and how did the Jalisco Cartel rise to power?
El Mencho is a pivotal figure in the history of modern organized crime. He began his career as a former police officer before becoming involved in the world of drug trafficking. He founded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNG) around 2010, after splitting from the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Under his leadership, the cartel expanded rapidly to become the most powerful criminal organization in Mexico, surpassing its traditional rivals. The cartel became infamous for its extreme brutality and use of paramilitary tactics, as well as its control over the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, to the United States, Europe, and Asia.
The significance and expected effects of his assassination
The killing of El Mencho represents a major symbolic victory for the Mexican and U.S. governments, which had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture. In practical terms, his absence is expected to create a power vacuum within the cartel, potentially igniting a bloody internal struggle for succession. Rival cartels, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, may exploit this weakness to try to regain control of lost territory, raising the specter of increased violence in the short to medium term. Internationally, his death may temporarily disrupt global drug supply chains, but experts warn that the cartel's decentralized structure could allow it to adapt and regroup under new leadership.
