Who Is El Mencho and Who Killed the Mexican Drug Lord?

El Mencho, leader of the CJNG cartel and one of the world’s most wanted drug lords, was killed in a Mexican military operation, triggering nationwide violence.

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and one of Mexico’s most powerful drug traffickers, was killed in a Mexican military operation on February 22, 2026. The death, resulting from an elite forces assault in Jalisco state, marks a major development in Mexico’s drug war but has sparked widespread violent retaliation across multiple states.

Key Facts

• El Mencho was killed during a Mexican Army operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
• He was 59 years old and founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
• U.S. and Mexican authorities had offered up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
• His death triggered violent reprisals, including road blockades and vehicle burnings across Mexico.

Main Development

Mexican special forces, with intelligence support from the United States, engaged El Mencho during a targeted security operation in Jalisco state. He was wounded in a firefight and later died from those injuries while being transported for medical treatment. Several cartel members and security personnel were also killed or injured during the mission. Armored vehicles and heavy weaponry were seized.

El Mencho’s Criminal Network

El Mencho built the CJNG into one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and beyond. Under his leadership, the cartel expanded rapidly, clashing with rival groups and security forces. The U.S. State Department had designated the cartel a terrorist organization and placed a significant bounty on his capture.

Violence and Aftermath

News of El Mencho’s death triggered a wave of retaliatory violence, with cartel members setting roadblocks, burning vehicles and prompting airport disruption in multiple states. Local authorities issued security alerts, advising residents to shelter in place. The killing leaves a leadership vacuum within the CJNG, raising concerns about potential fragmentation and further unrest across Mexico’s criminal landscape.

source: cbs