Mexican Forces Kill CJNG Leader ‘El Mencho’ and Seize Rocket Launchers in High-Stakes Raid
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — In a decisive blow to one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a high-risk operation Sunday. Authorities also seized rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft, underscoring the cartel’s alarming accumulation of military-grade weaponry.
The raid, conducted by Mexican federal forces with support from U.S. intelligence agencies, marked a critical moment in the ongoing battle against organized crime in Mexico. El Mencho’s death signals a major disruption to CJNG’s operations, but the weapons confiscated reveal the cartel’s capacity to challenge state power with battlefield-caliber firepower.
CJNG has long been recognized as one of the most violent and heavily armed criminal groups in Mexico. In 2015, cartel gunmen used rocket-propelled grenades to bring down a Mexican military helicopter in Jalisco, a brazen attack that shocked authorities and altered the government’s approach to combating the cartel. The recent seizure of similar rocket launchers during the raid highlights the continued threat posed by the group’s arsenal.
During the operation, security forces encountered fierce resistance, exchanging gunfire with cartel members. The Mexican military deployed specialized units and aircraft to secure the area and complete the mission. Authorities also confiscated armored vehicles and heavy weaponry, further demonstrating the cartel’s militarization.
The U.S. Department of Justice and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency provided critical intelligence support, facilitating coordination between Mexican forces and American law enforcement. This collaboration reflects the cross-border nature of the CJNG’s criminal activities, which include drug trafficking, extortion, and violent confrontations with rival groups and government forces.
The Mexican government has issued a shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens in affected regions, urging caution amid fears of retaliatory violence from cartel factions. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City emphasized the importance of vigilance and adherence to local security recommendations.
Experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have noted that the CJNG’s firepower and tactical sophistication represent a significant challenge to law enforcement efforts. The cartel’s ability to procure and deploy weapons typically reserved for military use complicates efforts to restore order in regions under its influence.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador hailed the operation as a “historic achievement” in the fight against organized crime but cautioned that dismantling the cartel’s infrastructure will require sustained effort. The government has vowed to continue targeting CJNG’s leadership and financial networks to prevent resurgence.
The seizure of rocket launchers capable of downing aircraft not only exposes the cartel’s dangerous capabilities but also raises concerns about the security of civilian and military aviation in cartel-controlled territories. Authorities are intensifying efforts to track and intercept illicit arms shipments, working closely with international partners to stem the flow of weapons into Mexico.
As Mexico grapples with the aftermath of El Mencho’s death, questions remain about the cartel’s future leadership and potential power struggles that could ignite further violence. The operation serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and militarized nature of organized crime in the region and the ongoing challenges faced by security forces combating these entrenched criminal networks.
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