Romantic Tip-Off Leads to Fall of Cartel Kingpin in Deadly Jalisco Operation

Mexican authorities have revealed that intelligence gathered from the personal relationships of notorious cartel figure Nemesio Oseguera played a crucial role in locating his hideout in a remote community in Jalisco state. 

The operation, carried out in the early hours of Sunday, ended with the death of the man widely known as “El Mencho.”

Officials described the raid as one of the most intense security actions in recent years. 

A total of 62 people lost their lives during the confrontation and the violence that followed. Among the casualties were 25 members of the National Guard’s military police and 34 individuals identified as suspected cartel affiliates.

In response to the operation, cartel loyalists reportedly unleashed coordinated unrest across the country. 

Authorities said vehicles were set on fire and at least 85 roadblocks were erected across more than a dozen states, disrupting transportation and heightening security tensions nationwide.

By Monday morning, President Claudia Sheinbaum assured citizens that federal forces had regained control of major flashpoints and that roadblocks were being dismantled, signaling a gradual return to stability.

Still, Mexico beefed up security in Jalisco, the stronghold of Oseguera’s infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), with the deployment of 2,000 troops. 

Oseguera’s death is a blow to the CJNG, a highly diversified criminal enterprise, and a victory for Mexico’s government after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to crack down on the cartels. 

“Unfortunately, it’s not the first time we’re experiencing this, but this time it does seem a bit more worrying because there’s no successor to these cartels,” said Fabiola Cortes, a schoolteacher in Mexico City. “We hope that, truly, our president does something for us, protects us, because honestly, fear is everywhere on the streets.”

Source: Reuters