Mexican drug cartel leader Nemesio OsegueraPopularly known as “El Mencho,” he was killed during a military operation on Sunday. Hours earlier, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemuz Navarro confirmed that an operation had sparked clashes, fires and violence in Guadalajara and Guadalajara. puerto vallartaincluding at the airport.
Meanwhile, conservative commentator Laura Loomer posted a video claiming Americans were being targeted at Guadalajara airport and locals said they heard gunshots.
Read more: El Mencho Killed: 5 Things You Need to Know About Mexican Drug Lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes
“After the United States eliminated a leader of a Mexican drug cartel today, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) retaliated by sending armed gunmen to attack the Guadalajara airport. They are now holding American tourists hostage on nearby highways and hotels,” Loomer posted on the X (formerly Twitter) platform.
El Mencho was killed
Oceguera was a police officer before becoming leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which operates out of Guadalajara. While authorities did not confirm details of the operation, sources told The Associated Press and Reuters that El Mencho was dead.
In a relatively short period of time, the CJNG evolved into a criminal group that spanned continents and rivaled former allies of the Sinaloa cartel. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, has been captured and is currently in a U.S. prison.
“The operation to arrest him was led by the Ministry of Defense but he was eventually killed,” a source told Reuters.
chaos in mexico
News of Oceguera’s death came after federal security forces took action in the Jalisco city of Tapalpa, according to a social media post by Pablo Lemus Navarro, the city’s governor, who urged residents to stay home until the situation was under control.
“We remain on red alert. We reiterate our advice to avoid leaving your home. Conflicts are occurring across several federal entities,” he added in a subsequent post.
Videos on social media showed cars on fire on roads in Jalisco state and black smoke billowing into the sky. Mexican media reported that burning vehicles and armed men blocked highways in several states across the country, especially in the north and northwest.
Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla wrote on
U.S. Embassy issues alert
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico is urging U.S. citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, Nuevo Leon and other cities to shelter in place amid ongoing security operations.
“Due to ongoing security operations and associated road congestion and criminal activity, U.S. citizens at designated locations are advised to shelter in place until further notice,” the alert reads.
