The capture of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” marked a significant moment in the ongoing battle against drug cartels in Mexico. On March 10, 2024, Mexican special forces, aided by U.S. intelligence, located and engaged the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in a violent confrontation that resulted in his death.
According to Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Ricardo Trevilla, the operation was the culmination of years of efforts by both Mexican and U.S. authorities. Oseguera Cervantes was long considered one of the most powerful drug lords in the world, with a $15 million bounty on his head. He faced numerous warrants for organized crime and drug trafficking in both countries.
Military investigators traced Oseguera Cervantes through a romantic partner, leading to a significant breakthrough in intelligence. A trusted associate of the partner was identified and followed to a meeting with the cartel leader in Tapalpa, Jalisco, just prior to the operation. U.S. intelligence provided “very important additional information,” which allowed Mexican forces to confirm his location.
Ground and Air Blockade
In the early hours of March 10, Mexican military units, along with the National Guard, established a ground blockade around the area. Six helicopters and additional special forces were deployed, with reconnaissance support from the Mexican Air Force. The precise coordination of land and air resources was crucial to the operation’s success.
Throughout the mission, President Claudia Sheinbaum was kept informed of developments, despite being on a tour of northern Mexico. Upon confirming Oseguera Cervantes’ presence, the operation commenced.
The response from the cartel was fierce. Gen. Trevilla described the encounter as extremely violent, with Oseguera Cervantes attempting to escape alongside two bodyguards. A heavily armed group engaged the military, resulting in eight fatalities, including members of the cartel and security forces. Among the seized weapons were two rocket launchers, one of which had previously been used against military helicopters.
Final Confrontation
During the operation, Oseguera Cervantes attempted to hide in a wooded area on the outskirts of Tapalpa, but special forces located him. The attempt to evade capture led to another intense confrontation, which left “El Mencho” and two of his bodyguards wounded. A military helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing after coming under gunfire, injuring three soldiers.
Following the confrontation, the cartel leader and his bodyguards were transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital, but they succumbed to their injuries en route. Their deaths were confirmed by Trevilla, who noted they were already in critical condition. To prevent retaliation from the cartel, their bodies were flown to Mexico City rather than the local capital.
Despite the loss of its leader, the CJNG is expected to retain considerable operational capacity, according to a source familiar with the operation. A succession struggle within the cartel has begun, with regional commanders vying for control. Historically, the removal of cartel leaders in Mexico has often resulted in splintering and increased violence rather than a complete dismantling of the organization.
Retaliatory Violence
In the aftermath of Oseguera Cervantes’ death, violence erupted across multiple states in Mexico. A logistics and financial operator known as “El Tuli,” reportedly Oseguera’s right-hand man, allegedly offered a bounty of 20,000 pesos (over $1,000) for each soldier killed. This has exacerbated the ongoing violence, particularly in Jalisco, where security forces have faced significant casualties.
According to Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, the most severe violence was reported in Jalisco, where 25 National Guard members, a prison official, and a prosecutor’s office employee were among those killed, alongside 30 suspected criminals. Violence also spread to neighboring Michoacán, where additional fatalities occurred.
In a subsequent operation, a paratrooper rifle brigade located and killed “El Tuli” in a shootout, seizing firearms and nearly $1.4 million in mixed currency. Despite these successes, the CJNG’s retaliatory actions have continued, signaling a turbulent period ahead for both security forces and cartel operations across Mexico.
The future of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel remains uncertain following the death of its leader. As the situation develops, authorities are bracing for potential escalation in violence and power struggles within the organization.
