Mexico’s military killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as “El Mencho,” during a security operation in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday, defense officials announced.
The raid in the town of Tapalpa left four cartel members dead and three soldiers injured, with U.S. intelligence aiding the effort that traced El Mencho to a hideout via a romantic partner.
He succumbed to wounds while en route to Mexico City.
In the hours after the operation, CJNG gunmen retaliated by torching vehicles, erecting roadblocks on nearly 100 highways, and clashing with authorities across at least eight states, including Jalisco and Michoacán.
Security Minister Omar García Harfuch reported 25 National Guard members killed, 14 injured, 34 cartel gunmen dead, and 70 arrests nationwide.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm as classes were cancelled, and residents in Guadalajara sheltered amid the chaos.
The death marks a major win for Mexico’s government, signalling resolve to President Donald Trump amid demands to curb cartel violence and fentanyl flows.
Authorities seized rifles and rocket launchers from El Mencho’s group, Mexico’s most powerful cartel.
The U.S. State Department warned Americans to shelter in place in affected areas.