A visit from his girlfriend revealed the hiding place of drug lord El Mencho, leading to an operation to kill him and causing widespread violence.
The Mexican government released more information on February 23 (local time) about the operation to kill drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (aka El Mencho) and the wave of serious violence that followed.
Drug kingpin El Mencho is wanted in both the US and Mexico. PH๏τo: US Drug Enforcement Agency.
President Claudia Sheinbaum and two ministers said the operation, which took place the previous day, had killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s largest criminal organizations, which smuggles drugs like fentanyl into the United States.
Sheinbaum said order has now been restored after gang members “avenged” the death of their boss, El Mencho, 59, by blocking roads, burning vehicles, and setting fire to supermarkets and other businesses in several Mexican states.
A soldier stands guard next to a burnt-out car set on fire in Cointzio, Michoacán canton, on February 22, following the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera. (AP PH๏τo)
Also at the press conference in Mexico City, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said that retaliatory gang attacks had killed 25 National Guard members, one security officer, and one Mexican civilian.
“Authorities have killed 30 gang members. We have also arrested at least 70 others in seven states across Mexico,” added Minister García Harfuch.
Meanwhile, Mexican Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla broke down in tears as he offered his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.
He also revealed the striking detail that information about drug lord El Mencho’s whereabouts was determined after a visit from his girlfriend.
Mexican authorities said they located drug lord El Mencho at a remote cabin after tracking down his girlfriend.
Authorities surrounded the house in Tapalpa, Jalisco state. As the drug lord fled into the forest, a shootout broke out between his bodyguards and Mexican soldiers, resulting in the deaths of eight gang members, according to General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, as reported by the British newspaper Independent.
The drug lord was sH๏τ and later found in the woods near the cabin. Along with two bodyguards, he was airlifted to the hospital for treatment but died en route.
US President Donald Trump also spoke out on the social media platform Truth Social, saying that Mexico needs to step up its action against drug cartels. He has been pressuring the Mexican government on this issue for months.
Both the Mexican and US governments have confirmed that Washington provided intelligence for the operation.
However, President Sheinbaum insisted that the entire planning and execution of the operation was carried out by Mexico.
