Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho', the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed by Mexican federal forces during an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Following the news of his death, violent reactions including road blockades and vehicle burnings occurred in at least six Mexican states.
Key points
- The operation was led by the Mexican Army and federal forces in Tapalpa, Jalisco, a historical stronghold of the cartel leader.
- The US Department of Justice had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to the capture of Oseguera Cervantes, who was 59 years old.
- The CJNG is designated as a terrorist organization by the US government and is involved in trafficking fentanyl, extortion, and human smuggling.
- Road blockades and burning of vehicles, pharmacies, and stores were reported in Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, and Aguascalientes.
- Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Señor de los Gallos', founded the CJNG in 2011 after separating from the Milenio Cartel.
Why it matters
The death of 'El Mencho', one of Mexico's most powerful and wanted drug lords, marks a significant event in the fight against organized crime, though security specialists anticipate potential internal reshuffling and increased violence as a likely scenario.
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