Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), state officials confirmed on 22 February 2026.
El Mencho was killed during a joint military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, where federal troops and National Guard units engaged cartel fighters. The drug lord, one of the most wanted criminals in Mexico with a reported US $15 million reward on his head, was fatally wounded along with several suspected CJNG members. Three troops were also reported injured in the operation.
The killing triggered a wave of violent retaliation by cartel fighters across multiple states. Security authorities reported road blockades, burning vehicles and clashes in regions including Jalisco, Guanajuato and Michoacán, with at least 14 people killed in violence that followed. Some cities, including Guadalajara, were effectively shut down as residents hunkered down and public transport was suspended.
Officials warned of continued unrest as CJNG members responded to the loss of their leader. International partners, including the United States and Sweden, issued safety advisories urging citizens to remain cautious and follow local guidance.
