CHAOS ON THE STREETS: Most wanted Mexican drug lord 'El Mencho' killed in military operation

(Patria) - The Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, on Sunday, decapitating what has become the most powerful cartel in Mexico and securing the government its biggest success so far to present to the administration of Donald Trump in its efforts.

Oseguera Cervantes was wounded in an operation to capture him on Sunday in Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco, about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara, and died during a flight to Mexico City, the Ministry of Defense announced. That state is a stronghold of the cartel known for smuggling large quantities of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States, AP reports.

During the operation, soldiers came under fire and killed four people at the scene. Three other people, including Oseguera Cervantes, were wounded and later died, the statement said. Two people were arrested, and armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other weapons were seized. Three members of the armed forces were wounded and are receiving medical attention.

The killing of the powerful drug lord sparked multi-hour road blockades with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states. Such tactics are often used by cartels to disrupt military operations.

Videos circulating on social media show pillars of smoke above the tourist town of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco and people running in panic through the airport of the state capital. On Sunday afternoon, Air Canada announced it was suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta “due to an ongoing security situation” and advised passengers not to come to the airport.

The U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is one of the most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organizations in Mexico, founded in 2009.

In February, the administration of Donald Trump declared the cartel a foreign terrorist organization.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, like her predecessor, criticized the “kingpin strategy” of previous administrations, which removed cartel leaders but often sparked new waves of violence as cartels fragmented. Although she remains popular in Mexico, security remains a persistent concern, and since U.S. President Donald Trump took office a year ago, she has faced great pressure to show results in the fight against drug trafficking.