Mexico confirmed on February 22, 2026, that soldiers killed a powerful drug cartel leader who was one of the most wanted men here and in the United States.
Image: Alfredo Estrella / AFP
In a significant victory against drug trafficking, the United States has lauded Mexico's security forces for the killing of one of the most wanted drug lords in the country, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho.
This operation marks a crucial achievement not only for Mexico but for the entire region, according to US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has been intricately linked to the supply of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamines to the United States, was fatally wounded during a joint military operation in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco. The Mexican Defence Ministry later confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries while being transported to Mexico City.
Landau took to the social media platform X to express his admiration for this operation, stating, “I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins. This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” underscoring the wider implications of the cartel's elimination.
The CJNG has been designated a foreign terrorist organisation by Washington, and Oseguera was one of the top targets in both Mexico and the United States, with a staggering reward of up to $15 million offered for information leading to his capture.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed US intelligence assistance in the operation, describing Cervantes as “an infamous drug lord” and reaffirming the shared commitment of both nations to dismantle his drug trafficking network.
The military operation was not without turbulence. According to reports, troops encountered gunfire during the raid. Several suspected cartel members were killed, while others sustained injuries or were taken into custody. Authorities also seized an arsenal of weapons that included armoured vehicles and rocket launchers.
This dramatic operation has incited unrest in the region, with videos flooding social media showing plumes of smoke rising from vehicles and commercial properties set ablaze. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro declared a state of emergency, advising residents to remain indoors as law enforcement endeavoured to quell the violence stemming from the CJNG’s retaliation.
Footage captured at Guadalajara Airport, Mexico's third largest, depicts moments of panic as passengers fled amid gunfire in the distance. In response to escalating violence, flights to and from airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara have been suspended.
The CJNG’s influence has been felt beyond Jalisco, as unrest reportedly spreads to nearby states, including Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Colima, and Oaxaca, with armed cartel members seen patrolling the streets.
The operation against El Mencho is not just a pivotal moment for Mexican authorities, but also a critical instance of international cooperation in the relentless battle against transnational drug trafficking. As the dust settles, the repercussions of this high-stakes operation are likely to reverberate through both nations and beyond.
RT News