Leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Ruben Oseguera CervantesEl Mencho, also known as El Mencho, was killed during a military operation in the Mexican state of Jalisco on Sunday, officials said. The cartel leader’s death sparked violence in Puerto Vallarta, Tapalpa, Guadalajara and other cities. Meanwhile, the United States reacted to the operation, calling it a “great development.”
US reacts to El Mencho killing
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on Twitter: I just learned that Mexican security forces have killed one of the bloodiest and most brutal drug lords, “El Mencho.” This is a huge development for Mexico, the United States, Latin America and the world. Good guys are stronger than bad guys. /Los buenos somos más que los malos. The blessing of the power of public order in the great state of Mexico. “
Read more: El Mencho Killed: 5 Things You Need to Know About Mexican Drug Lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes
Inside the operation that killed El Mencho
Mexican troops killed Nemesio Ruben Oceguera Cervantes, an official told Reuters and The Associated Press. The killings came after hours of roadblocks set up with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states. Videos on social media showed thick smoke billowing over Puerto Vallarta. An alert was also issued at the city’s airport.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus revealed the first details. “A few hours ago, federal troops carried out an operation in Tapalpa, which led to clashes in the area. Likewise, as a result of this operation, vehicles were burned and blocked in several locations in the area and elsewhere in Jalisco, with the aim of hindering the actions of the authorities,” he wrote on the X (formerly Twitter) platform.
“I have directed the immediate establishment of a security coordination table with the three levels of government authorities and the activation of Code Red to prevent acts against the population,” Lemus added.
He further retweeted a tweet confirming that the National Intelligence Center and the Office of the Attorney General (FEMDO), the Mexican Army Special Forces, planned and executed Operation Tapalpa.
The post further added: “Multiple Air Force and National Guard immediate response Special Forces aircraft intervened to detain Ruben “N”(a) Mencho.”
According to tweets, military personnel were also attacked. “Thus, in order to defend their integrity, they repelled the invasion, which resulted in the instant death and serious injury of four members of the “CJNG” criminal gang, who died on the way to Mexico City by plane; among them Ruben “N” (a) Mencho, but the activities of experts will be dealt with by the relevant authorities for identification.”
“In addition to the above, two other members of the criminal organization were detained and various weapons and armored vehicles were seized, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.”
The post also cited support from Washington.
Trump puts pressure on Mexico
The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. In February, the Trump administration designated the cartel a foreign terrorist organization.
Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum criticized previous administrations’ “ringleader” strategy, which removed cartel leaders only to trigger an outbreak of violence when the cartel broke up.
(With AP input)
 leader, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, aka El Mencho, was killed on Sunday){kind=link}