The El Mencho death has sent shockwaves across Mexico and drawn global attention after security forces killed the country’s most powerful cartel leader during a military operation in Jalisco on Sunday.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, died after being wounded in an attempted arrest and transferred by air to Mexico City.
His death marks the biggest blow to organised crime in Mexico since the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán nearly a decade ago.
The killing triggered violent retaliation, including arson attacks and road blockades across 20 Mexican states.
Who was El Mencho?
Born in Michoacán, he built the cartel into Mexico’s fastest-growing criminal network after founding it around 2009.
The CJNG became known for:
- Trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States
- Smuggling migrants
- Fuel theft and extortion
- High-profile attacks on security forces
In 2015, cartel members shot down a Mexican military helicopter in Jalisco. The group also attempted to assassinate Mexico City’s former police chief Omar García Harfuch.
The US government had offered a $15 million (£12m+) reward for information leading to his arrest, making him one of America’s most wanted fugitives.
How did Mexican forces kill El Mencho?
Mexico’s Defence Department confirmed that the army launched a targeted operation in southern Jalisco involving special forces and the Mexican Air Force.
According to officials:
- Four cartel members were killed in the clash
- Three were wounded, including El Mencho
- Three Mexican soldiers were injured
- Rocket launchers capable of downing aircraft were seized
El Mencho died while being airlifted to Mexico City after sustaining injuries during the confrontation.
Both Mexico and the United States said intelligence collaboration helped locate him.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X: “The good guys are stronger than the bad guys. Congratulations to the forces of law and order in the great Mexican nation.”
I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed “El Mencho,” one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins. This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys./Los buenos somos más que…
— Christopher Landau (@DeputySecState) February 22, 2026
Why did violence erupt across Mexico after the El Mencho death?
Within hours of the operation, cartel gunmen set vehicles ablaze and blocked major roads in 20 states.
Residents in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, stayed indoors as smoke filled the skyline. Schools closed on Monday in several regions. Even Guatemala reinforced its border security.
El Mencho, was killed in a Mexican military operation in Jalisco on Sunday. After his death was reported, several states across Mexico have been gripped by violence.
El Mencho was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most violent and influential… pic.twitter.com/06yM92vYef
— Ranvijay Singh (@ranvijaylive) February 22, 2026
Security analyst David Saucedo warned that leadership uncertainty could trigger further instability.
If relatives assume control, violence may continue as a show of strength. If rival factions take over, internal fighting could erupt.
What does the El Mencho death mean for global drug trafficking?
The CJNG operates in at least 21 of Mexico’s 32 states and maintains networks across the United States.
It also has reported links to Europe, including the UK, where organised crime groups distribute imported cocaine and synthetic drugs.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has previously warned that Mexican cartels increasingly influence European drug markets, particularly in fentanyl production and cocaine routes.
For Britain, this development matters because:
- Mexican cartels supply drugs that enter European ports
- Disruptions could shift trafficking routes
- Rival gangs may compete violently for control
A weakened CJNG could slow expansion. However, history shows that removing one kingpin rarely dismantles a cartel entirely.
Could this strengthen Mexico’s position with the United States?
The killing comes amid pressure from Washington for tougher action against drug cartels.
Under former US President Donald Trump, Mexican cartels were designated foreign terrorist organisations.
The US had threatened tariffs and even unilateral military measures if progress stalled.
Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations at the US DEA, said: “Mexico has sent a strong message that they are fighting aggressively and effectively against the most powerful cartels.”
This cooperation may ease diplomatic tensions in the short term.
How does this compare to the fall of El Chapo?
The last comparable moment came with the recapture of Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán, former leader of the Sinaloa cartel.
However, his arrest did not end cartel violence. Instead, splinter groups and rivalries intensified.
The Sinaloa cartel itself now faces internal divisions between the sons of Guzmán and factions loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Security experts fear that if CJNG fragments, it could lead to more unpredictable violence, including what analysts describe as potential “narcoterrorism” tactics.
