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One of the world’s most wanted traffickers, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” has been killed during a Mexican security operation, triggering a wave of violence across several regions of the country.
The 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel had a $15 million bounty on his head offered by the United States. He was accused of trafficking massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine across the southern U.S. border.
According to reports, Mexican military forces carried out the operation in the city of Tapalpa in Jalisco, with support from joint U.S.–Mexican task forces that regularly cooperate on counter-narcotics missions. During the raid, cartel members exchanged fire with security forces. Four gunmen were killed at the scene, while Oseguera and two associates were seriously wounded and later died while being flown to Mexico City. Three Mexican soldiers were also hospitalized.
His death sparked violent reprisals by cartel members. Vehicles were set on fire, highways were blocked and gun battles with security forces were reported across multiple states, including Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán, Colima, Guerrero, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.
Dramatic footage online showed large smoke clouds rising over Puerto Vallarta, a major tourist destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Amid the unrest, Air Canada suspended flights to the city.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged the state’s roughly eight million residents to stay home until authorities regain control, adding that public transport had been halted and people should avoid the roads. Several governments also issued travel warnings for their citizens.
