El Mencho: CJNG Leader Reportedly Killed in Military Operation
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco Modern Generation Cartel (CJNG), has reportedly been killed during a military operation in Mexico, according to reports from Mexican newspaper El Universal 1 and El Financiero. 2 The operation took place in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Road Blockades and Violence Follow Operation
Following the reported death of El Mencho, widespread violence erupted across several Mexican states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Guerrero, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Zacatecas, and Tamaulipas. 1 Armed groups blocked roads and set vehicles on fire in an attempt to hinder the actions of authorities. Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro of Jalisco reported confrontations in the Tapalpa area and the activation of a “red code” to protect the population. 1 Governor Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla of Michoacán also reported highway blockades within his state.
Who Was Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes?
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, born on July 17, 1966, in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico, rose to prominence as the leader of the CJNG. 1 2 3 He had been wanted by both Mexican, and U.S. Authorities, with the United States offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture. 1 U.S. Authorities accuse him of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and of engaging in extreme violence to consolidate his criminal structure. 2
The CJNG, under El Mencho’s leadership, has become one of the most violent and expansive criminal organizations in Mexico. 2 The cartel emerged after the fragmentation of the Milenio Cartel. 2