El Mencho Killed: Leader of Jalisco Cartel Dies in Military Operation

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico. He was 59 years old.

Who Was El Mencho?

El Mencho was the leader of the CJNG, which has become Mexico’s most powerful and notorious criminal organization. He was a former policeman who founded the cartel in 2011.

The United States had offered a reward of $15 million for information leading to his arrest. He had been involved in drug trafficking since the 1990s and was previously sentenced to three years in prison in California in 1994 for heroin trafficking.

Violence Erupts Across Mexico

Following the announcement of El Mencho’s death, widespread chaos erupted across several Mexican states. Reports indicate burning vehicles and roadblocks in Jalisco, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas.

Pablo Lemus Navarro, the governor of Jalisco, urged the state’s eight million residents to stay home “until the situation is under control.” Public transportation has been suspended, and residents are advised to avoid travel due to the ongoing “violent incidents.”

International Response

The United States welcomed the killing of El Mencho, calling it “a great development both for Mexico, the US, Latin America and the rest of the world.” US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed sadness and concern over the violence in Mexico, posting on X (formerly Twitter).

The Rise of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel

The CJNG has rapidly grown to become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico, rivaling the Sinaloa cartel in influence. The cartel is a major supplier of cocaine to the US market and generates billions of dollars from the production of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The CJNG has distinguished itself through aggressive attacks against government forces, utilizing tactics such as helicopters, drones, and landmines.

Key Takeaways

• Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” leader of the CJNG, was killed in a military operation on February 22, 2026.
• His death triggered widespread violence and roadblocks across multiple Mexican states.
• The US government offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
• The CJNG has become one of Mexico’s most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organizations.