Mexico has spent the last 24 hours in a state of high tension after security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho”, a powerful druglord and the long-time head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
While authorities described the military operation as a decisive blow against organised crime, the aftermath triggered widespread unrest across the country with the members of cartel going on a revenge spree burning vehicles and setting petrol stations on fire.
Although federal officials said by Monday afternoon that order was gradually being restored, several regions remained tense, with residents staying indoors and schools and businesses shut in some areas.
How authorities tracked the cartel boss down: The ‘lover’ leadAccording to reports, the breakthrough in locating Oseguera did not come from financial surveillance or drug interdictions, but from human intelligence.
According to authorities, they received key information from someone connected to one of Oseguera’s romantic partners. That intelligence allowed security agencies to monitor her movements and identify a planned meeting with the cartel leader in Tapalpa, a wooded cabin about 130 kilometres from Guadalajara in Jalisco state.
Mexican military intelligence agents, supported by the US military’s Northern Command, learned that the woman planned to meet with Oseguera at a residence in the area. Defence secretary Ricardo Trevilla told reporters that the woman, “one of the romantic partners of ‘El Mencho’,” was taken to a house in Tapalpa by a trusted associate.
She met Oseguera at the property and later left, while he remained inside with his security team.
Once the location was confirmed, army and National Guard units launched a high-risk operation targeting the compound. As security forces closed in, Oseguera’s gunmen opened fire, triggering a fierce exchange. The fighting later moved toward a cabin complex deep in the surrounding forest.
Oseguera was seriously injured in the firefight, along with two of his bodyguards. All three were airlifted by helicopter to Mexico City for emergency treatment, but did not survive the journey.
“Unfortunately, they died on the way,” Ricardo Trevilla said at the president’s press conference and extended condolences to the families of officers who lost their lives in the operation.
Authorities said they recovered a significant cache of weapons at the site, including rifles equipped with grenade launchers, rocket launchers and mortar shells, highlighting the level of firepower deployed by the cartel.
The US angleOseguera had long been among the most wanted figures by US authorities. The US had announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
His death comes amid increasing pressure from Washington to intensify action against drug cartels responsible for trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States. Former US President
Donald Trump had previously warned of potential strikes against cartel networks inside Mexico.
Mexican officials did not detail the extent of US intelligence involvement in the specific operation, but said that America provide important intel that helped the forces track the exact location of the cabin 'El Mencho' was staying.
"There was no participation in this operation of US forces. What there was, was an exchange of information," Mexican President Sheinbaum said.
The aftermathWithin hours of confirmation of Oseguera’s death, armed groups linked to the cartel launched coordinated reprisals in multiple states.
Authorities reported that highways were blocked with burning vehicles, supermarkets and petrol stations were set on fire, and security forces were attacked in different regions. In some cities, public transport was suspended and flights were disrupted. Schools were closed in affected districts as a precaution.
Officials said at least 62 people were killed in violence linked to the crackdown and its aftermath.
While authorities say stability is returning, the coming weeks will determine whether the state’s offensive weakens the cartel’s structure or triggers a new cycle of retaliatory unrest.