Mexico’s armed forces have reportedly killed Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as “El Mencho,” a feared crime boss long pursued by authorities in both Mexico and the United States.
The operation was said to have taken place on Sunday, although there was no immediate formal confirmation from government officials at the time of filing this report. Oseguera led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and had a $15 million bounty placed on him by US authorities, making him one of the most wanted figures in international drug enforcement efforts.
His reported death would mark one of the most significant blows to organised crime in recent years, following the arrests of Joaquin Guzman, also known as “El Chapo,” and Ismael Zambada of the Sinaloa cartel. Both men are currently serving prison sentences in the United States.
Security operations were concentrated in Jalisco, the cartel’s stronghold. As troops moved in, armed groups reportedly set vehicles on fire and blocked major roads in an apparent attempt to delay security forces and protect their leader. The tactic caused widespread disruption and heightened tension across the region.
The unrest later spread to neighbouring Michoacan, another area where the cartel has maintained a strong presence.
Formed in 2009, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel quickly grew into one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful criminal organisations. According to the US Justice Department, the group has trafficked cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl across the border into the United States. American authorities have also designated the cartel a terrorist organisation, highlighting the scale of its operations and the threat it poses.
If officially confirmed, Oseguera’s death could signal a major shift in Mexico’s ongoing fight against powerful drug cartels.
