Mexico has deployed 10,000 troops to restore order following the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a military operation in Tapalpa over the weekend.
Oseguera, who carried a $15 million US bounty, was wounded in a shootout with soldiers on Sunday and later died while being airlifted to Mexico City, the army confirmed. His death triggered widespread violence, with cartel members setting fires, blocking roads, and attacking businesses across 20 states.
Authorities reported that at least 27 security personnel, 46 suspected criminals, and one civilian were killed during the raid and ensuing clashes. In Jalisco, a prison break saw 23 inmates escape after armed groups attacked the facility, according to the state security secretary.
The unrest forced residents into hiding, led to school closures, and disrupted public transport in the state capital, Guadalajara. In the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, popular with US tourists, travel warnings were issued by the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, while dozens of North American flights were cancelled.
Authorities reinforced the region with an additional 2,500 troops, bringing total military deployment to 10,000. Blockades and black smoke were reported in Oseguera’s hometown of Aguillila, where residents expressed ongoing fear despite a return to relative calm.
Oseguera, 59, co-founded CJNG in 2009, building one of Mexico’s most violent cartels, known for trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the US. Analysts have warned that his death could spark violent internal power struggles within the cartel, particularly given the recent conviction of his son, Ruben “El Menchito” Oseguera Gonzalez, in the United States.
Mexican authorities said the operation was aided by intelligence from United States, though President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that no US forces participated. Officials said one of Oseguera’s girlfriends helped authorities track him to a ranch in Jalisco.
During the raid, two suspected cartel members were arrested, weapons including rocket launchers were seized, and Oseguera’s right-hand man, Hugo “El Tuli” H., was also killed.
The CJNG is classified by Washington as a terrorist organization, and the operation comes amid ongoing pressure from former US President Donald Trump for Mexico to curb the flow of drugs into the United States.