The Mexican army announced the death of Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a military operation.
El Mencho, 59, was considered the last major kingpin still at large after the arrests and U.S. imprisonment of Sinaloa Cartel founders Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and his partner Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
According to a statement from the Mexican army, El Mencho was wounded during an operation carried out in the Tapalpa area in the state of Jalisco (west) and died “while being airlifted to Mexico City.”
Oseguera was one of the most wanted fugitives by both Mexico and the United States, which had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, founded by Oseguera in 2009, was designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 2025, accusing it of trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
Armed groups blocked several major roads in Jalisco using burning cars and trucks in response to the federal forces’ operation in the region.
Such tactics are commonly used to obstruct government operations targeting top drug traffickers.
Roads were also shut down in the neighboring state of Michoacán—where Oseguera’s cartel is active—as well as in Guanajuato, Puebla, and Sinaloa.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens to remain calm, saying, X: “There is full coordination with governments in all states. We must (…) maintain our composure.”
Local authorities advised residents to stay in their homes.