Reports emerging from Mexico indicate that Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as “El Mencho,” has been killed during a military operation.
Oseguera was the alleged leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the most wanted drug lords in Mexico and the United States. Moreover, he carried a $15 million bounty placed by US authorities.
The El Mencho killed in Mexico reports have not yet been officially confirmed by the Mexican government. However, several major media outlets, including El Universal, Reforma, and the Televisa network, reported his death on Sunday.
If confirmed, this development would mark one of the most significant blows to organized crime in recent years. Oseguera is considered one of the highest-profile cartel figures taken down since the capture of Sinaloa cartel founders Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael Zambada. Both men are currently serving prison sentences in the United States.
Meanwhile, violence erupted in the western state of Jalisco amid the reported operation. Armed individuals set cars and trucks on fire, blocking major roads. This tactic is often used to slow down security forces during high-risk arrests or raids.
The unrest later spread to neighboring Michoacan, where the Jalisco New Generation Cartel also operates. Authorities have not released full details about the scope of the security operation. However, heavy movement by security forces was reported in several areas.
Oseguera’s cartel was formed in 2009 and quickly became one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations. According to the US Justice Department, the group has been linked to the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States.
In addition, US officials formally designated the cartel as a terrorist organization. The group has been accused of fueling cross-border drug violence and contributing to the fentanyl crisis in North America.
The El Mencho killed in Mexico development, if verified, could reshape the balance of power among Mexican drug cartels.
For now, no immediate government confirmation has been issued regarding his reported death.
