Mexican authorities investigate killing of notorious drug lord El Mencho

Mexican Authorities Kill Notorious Drug Lord El Mencho in Military Raid

A US-backed military operation in Mexico resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho”, a high-ranking figure in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The operation took place on Sunday in Talpalpa, Jalisco, and was supported by intelligence from the United States.

El Mencho, 59, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which operates primarily in the western state of Jalisco. He was previously convicted in the US of heroin trafficking and served nearly three years in prison before returning to Mexico.

Following El Mencho’s death, violence erupted across 20 states in Mexico as gunmen set vehicles ablaze and erected roadblocks. The Mexican government has confirmed that federal forces carried out the operation, with assistance from US intelligence.

El Mencho was a key figure in the cartel’s operations, which have been linked to the trafficking of fentanyl into the US. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers the Jalisco cartel to be a significant threat to national security, with a presence in all 50 US states and activity in 21 of Mexico’s 32 states.

The Mexican government has reported that three additional cartel members were killed during the operation. President Claudia Sheinbaum has praised the efforts of the Mexican military and security forces involved in the operation.

The US has offered a $15m reward for information leading to El Mencho’s arrest, and his death is likely to have significant implications for the country’s ongoing efforts to combat organized crime.

Source: Al Jazeera