El Mencho, Leader of Jalisco Cartel, Killed in Military Operation
Mexico City – Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in a military operation on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico. The death of Oseguera Cervantes represents a significant blow to what had become Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel [1].
Details of the Operation
The Mexican Defense Department reported that Oseguera Cervantes was wounded during the operation, which took place approximately two hours southwest of Guadalajara. He died while being transported to Mexico City for medical attention. During the confrontation, four individuals were killed at the scene, and three others, including Oseguera Cervantes, succumbed to their injuries later. Two suspects were arrested, and authorities seized armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and other weaponry [1].
Three members of the armed forces were similarly wounded and are receiving medical treatment.
Cartel Response and Regional Impact
Following the operation, CJNG members initiated roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states, a tactic commonly employed to hinder military movements. The state of Jalisco canceled school for Monday, February 23, 2026, as a precautionary measure [1].
Videos circulating on social media depicted smoke rising over Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and panic at the city’s airport. Air Canada suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, advising passengers to avoid the airport due to the ongoing security situation. Roads in Guadalajara, which is scheduled to host matches during this summer’s soccer World Cup, were also blocked by burning vehicles [1].
The U.S. State Department issued a warning to U.S. Citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon to remain in safe locations. Canada’s embassy in Mexico advised its citizens in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place and maintain a low profile in Jalisco [1].
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus urged residents to stay home and suspended public transportation [1].
El Mencho and the CJNG
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, born July 17, 1966, was the most wanted person in Mexico and a high-priority target for the United States. A $15 million reward was offered by the U.S. Government, and 300 million pesos by Mexico’s Office of the Attorney General, for information leading to his arrest [1].
The CJNG, founded around 2007, has grown to become one of the most powerful and rapidly expanding criminal organizations in Mexico. Initially operating as a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, it later became an independent entity and engaged in territorial battles with its former ally [1].
In February 2026, the Trump administration designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization [1].
Oseguera Cervantes had a prior conviction in the U.S. For conspiracy to distribute heroin, serving nearly three years in prison before returning to Mexico and re-engaging in drug trafficking with Ignacio Coronel Villarreal [1].
Future Implications
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed criticism of the “kingpin” strategy employed by previous administrations, which often resulted in increased violence following the removal of cartel leaders. Despite these concerns, Sheinbaum has faced pressure to demonstrate results in combating drug trafficking [1].
The CJNG is known for its aggressive tactics against the military, including attacks on helicopters, and its use of drones and landmines. The cartel has also been linked to a 2020 assassination attempt in Mexico City targeting the then-head of the capital’s police force [1].
The DEA considers the CJNG to be as powerful as the Sinaloa Cartel, with a presence in all 50 U.S. States and a significant role in the supply of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamines [1].