Romantic Partner Surveillance Pivotal in El Mencho's Deadly Capture
Mexican authorities have disclosed that surveillance of a romantic partner was instrumental in locating and ultimately killing Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the infamous leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as "El Mencho." The operation, which unfolded on Sunday, resulted in his capture and death, along with significant casualties among cartel members and security forces.
Intelligence Breakthrough Leads to Confrontation
According to Mexican Defense Secretary General Ricardo Trevilla, years of joint efforts by Mexican and U.S. intelligence to track El Mencho culminated in success this weekend. Military investigators identified and monitored a trusted associate of one of Oseguera Cervantes' romantic partners, who escorted her to a meeting with the drug lord in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Friday. U.S. intelligence provided critical additional information that confirmed the exact location, enabling special forces to finalize their plans.
Once the woman departed after spending the night with El Mencho, Mexican army and National Guard units established a ground cordon, supported by six helicopters and air force reconnaissance. In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, the operation commenced, with President Claudia Sheinbaum kept informed throughout.
Violent Response and Fatal Outcome
General Trevilla described the cartel's response as extremely violent, with El Mencho attempting to flee with two bodyguards while a heavily armed group engaged the military. The confrontation left eight gunmen dead at the scene, and Oseguera Cervantes was found hiding in undergrowth in a wooded area near Tapalpa. Despite being armed with rocket launchers, the criminals failed to deploy them effectively.
During the chaos, a military helicopter was forced into an emergency landing after being struck by gunfire, and three soldiers were injured. El Mencho and his two bodyguards were wounded, taken into custody, and died en route to a hospital in critical condition. Their bodies were redirected to Mexico City to prevent potential retaliation from the cartel.
Widespread Violence and Bounty Offer
The operation and ensuing violence resulted in over 70 deaths, including security personnel, suspected cartel members, and civilians. In Jalisco, 25 National Guard members, a prison official, a prosecutor's office employee, and a presumed civilian woman were killed, along with 30 suspected criminals. In neighboring Michoacán, four more gunmen died and 15 security personnel were wounded.
Additionally, a logistics operator known as "El Tuli," allegedly Oseguera's right-hand man, offered a bounty of 20,000 pesos (over $1,000) for every soldier killed. He was tracked down and killed by a paratrooper rifle brigade, with nearly $1.4 million in mixed currency seized. Retaliatory attacks continued in several Mexican states following the operation.
This deadly capture marks a significant blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, highlighting the intense and ongoing struggle between Mexican authorities and organized crime groups.
