Nemesio Oseguera “El Mencho” Killed in Mexican Military Operation in Tapalpa

On 22/02/2026, a large-scale Mexican military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The raid was carried out by Mexican special forces with support from U.S. intelligence, including cooperation involving the CIA and a military-led task force, according to official briefings cited in national and international media reports. Authorities targeted a safe house in a wooded area near the mountain town of Tapalpa after reportedly tracking Oseguera through a romantic partner identified as Guadalupe Moreno Carrillo. Security forces engaged in a five-hour gunfight with heavily armed cartel members. Officials reported that Oseguera was seriously wounded during the confrontation and died while being airlifted to Mexico City for treatment. The operation marked the first confirmed death of the long-time CJNG leader after years of evading capture. At least 62 people were reported dead in the initial operation and the subsequent wave of retaliatory violence. Among them were 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard and 34 suspected cartel members. The scale of casualties underscored the intensity of the confrontation and the entrenched operational capacity of the CJNG in western Mexico. Following confirmation of Oseguera’s death, the CJNG launched coordinated retaliatory actions across more than a dozen Mexican states. Reports indicated that cartel members set fire to vehicles and businesses, established approximately 85 roadblocks, and disrupted major transport routes. Incidents were reported near Guadalajara International Airport, where armed individuals allegedly entered the airport perimeter, prompting panic among travelers and heightened security responses. Federal and state authorities deployed additional forces to contain the unrest and secure infrastructure. The United States government responded with precautionary measures. The White House and the U.S. Department of State issued shelter-in-place advisories for several states, including Jalisco and Tamaulipas, citing security risks linked to cartel retaliation. The operation took place amid diplomatic pressure from the administration of Donald Trump on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to intensify enforcement actions against organized crime groups operating in Mexico. El Mencho had led the CJNG for more than a decade, overseeing its expansion into one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, with influence in drug trafficking, extortion, and territorial control. His death on 22/02/2026 triggered immediate security repercussions and marked a major federal action against cartel leadership in Jalisco.