A critical tip from the girlfriend of Nemesio Oseguera, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), enabled Mexican authorities to locate and neutralize him in Tapalpa, a village in western Mexico.
Oseguera, 59, known as “El Mencho,” was fatally wounded during a military operation and died while being airlifted to a Guadalajara hospital.
The operation followed intelligence gathered by Mexican military agents, supported by the US Northern Command, who learned the girlfriend planned to meet Oseguera in Tapalpa, roughly 130 kilometers from Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital.
According to Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla, she met the cartel boss on Saturday and left, leaving him with his armed security team.
The National Guard’s Special Immediate Reaction Force executed a meticulously planned assault on Sunday, employing both air and ground maneuvers while avoiding entry into Jalisco to maintain the element of surprise.
Once confirmed, Oseguera was raided at a forested cabin complex. “El Mencho” was armed with assault weapons and two rocket launchers, which his escorts had previously used to shoot down a military helicopter in 2015.
During the clash, a military helicopter was damaged, and Oseguera and two escorts were wounded. All three died en route to medical care, and their bodies were transported to Mexico City for official handling.
Authorities also confirmed the death of Oseguera’s deputy, Hugo H., aka “El Tuli,” who orchestrated retaliatory attacks, roadblocks, and vehicle burnings following the leader’s death. He carried firearms and nearly $1.4 million when killed.
The operation triggered widespread unrest across 20 Mexican states, with hundreds of roadblocks and torchings.
By Monday, calm largely returned, though isolated violence persisted in Jalisco and Michoacan.
The government deployed approximately 10,000 soldiers as a deterrent to further cartel activity.
The death of Nemesio Oseguera marks a significant blow to the CJNG, which has been responsible for decades of organized crime and violence in Mexico, raising hopes for improved national security in the coming months.
