El Mencho Dead: U.S.-Backed Mexico Military Operation Kills CJNG Cartel Boss: A drug cartel with tanks, drones and sophisticated weapons — here’s how Mexico’s deadly CJNG operated under El Mencho
Mexican officials confirmed that special forces killed the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in an operation near Puerto Vallarta, a major tourist destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The cartel boss was one of the world’s most wanted fugitives. The US State Department had ranked him among its top international criminal targets, offering a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture or conviction.
What made El Mencho uniquely dangerous was operational discipline. He kept his profile so low that all of his verified photos were from decades ago. No recently confirmed images were available. There are no public demonstrations. There are no verified audio recordings. While American and Mexican intelligence agencies spent years hunting him down, he ran a $30 billion-a-year criminal enterprise virtually unknown.
CJNG did not operate like a traditional cartel. It has deployed armed drones, armored assault vehicles, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers—military hardware that outshines local and state police forces across Mexico. The cartel controlled drug supply chains, from production in Jalisco and Michoacán to distribution networks in 35 US states.
Officials say the raid uncovered a military-grade arsenal, including rocket launchers, armored vehicles and heavy-caliber weapons typically seen in war zones, not civilian law enforcement operations. Within hours of his death, cartel gunmen launched coordinated retaliation in several Mexican states, setting vehicles on fire, blocking highways and forcing airports to suspend flights. This outcome underscores how deeply the CJNG has embedded itself in Mexico’s security environment and the U.S. drug supply chain.
Military grade weapons seized in cartel raid
Mexican military officials reported that a large number of rocket launchers capable of hitting low-flying aircraft were seized during the operation. The discovery revived memories of a 2015 attack in which CJNG gunmen used a rocket-propelled grenade to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter, killing the soldiers on board.
In addition to anti-armor weapons, security forces also seized armored trucks, high-powered rifles and large stocks of ammunition. Defense officials have previously disclosed that at least five rocket launchers have been linked to CJNG operations in recent years, highlighting the cartel’s access to battlefield-style hardware. Mexican Army special forces, supported by the Mexican Air Force and the National Guard, participated in the raid. According to US and Mexican sources, American intelligence support contributed to the targeting process. A US-led task force specializing in intelligence gathering of dossier-level information shared before the final operation.
The scale of the weapons reflects the CJNG’s evolution from a regional smuggling group to a paramilitary-style organization capable of directly opposing federal forces.
Who was “El Mencho”?
Born on July 17, 1966, in Aguililla, Michoacán, Oseguera came from a farming family in a region known for avocado production. He dropped out of school after sixth grade and later migrated north, operating in Tijuana and San Diego. Court records show he entered and was deported from the United States multiple times.
After joining the Milenio Cartel, his crime rise accelerated. When that organization disintegrated in 2008-2009 following the arrest and murder of senior leaders, Oseguera staged a violent internal coup. He took over as head of CJNG in early 2011.
Under his leadership, CJNG expanded aggressively. US law enforcement officials say the cartel has thousands of operators and networks spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The group contributed to the synthetic opioid crisis by trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States on a large scale.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Oseguera in federal indictments, including a lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., in 2017, alleging that he ran an ongoing criminal enterprise and conspired to distribute large amounts of drugs. Meth trafficking charges were also filed in Mississippi in 2013.
American officials have repeatedly labeled him among the “most ruthless” drug lords operating globally.
Cartel violence erupts after El Mencho’s death
After his death was confirmed, cartel gunmen launched coordinated violence in Jalisco and neighboring states including Michoacán, Colima, Guanajuato, Veracruz and Tamaulipas.
Highways were blocked by burning trucks. Workplaces were set on fire. Tourists in Puerto Vallarta were advised to shelter in place. Major airlines, including U.S. carriers, suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara due to safety concerns.
Eyewitness videos showed clouds of smoke billowing over the city’s roads and passengers scrambling through airport terminals. Security analysts warned in the immediate aftermath of the incident that it could trigger a power struggle within the CJNG’s command structure.
Former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials have previously described Oseguera as the central authority within the cartel hierarchy. His removal raises the possibility of factional infighting or retaliatory violence aimed at demonstrating power.
The power vacuum and its implications for US-Mexican security
CJNG operates in most of Mexico’s 32 states and maintains a foothold in strategic ports and border corridors. It once rivaled the Sinaloa Cartel led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who was serving a life sentence in the United States.
Security experts say CJNG’s decentralized cell structure could allow it to continue operating despite losing its founder. However, leadership transitions in major cartels often lead to short-term increases in violence as lieutenants compete for territory and smuggling routes.
For US officials, this development marks an important turning point in the fight against drugs. CJNG has been the primary source of fentanyl entering American communities. The synthetic opioid has surpassed heroin as the deadliest illicit drug in the United States, according to federal health data.
The broader question now is stability. Analysts warn that eliminating a cartel leader does not immediately eliminate supply chains. Production laboratories, trade corridors, and financial networks often remain intact.
“El Mencho” spent more than a decade avoiding capture. He had survived many raids before; at least one of these was an attack in which his forces shot down a military helicopter. His death ended one of the most intense manhunts in recent Mexican history.
But as the smoke cleared from the burning barricades and the stranded flights resumed, a new uncertainty emerged: who would control the CJNG next, and whether Mexico would face a drastic change in cartel power.
For now, officials on both sides of the border are preparing for the next chapter in the conflict that continues to shape U.S.-Mexico security, immigration crackdowns and the fentanyl crisis.
FAQ:
1. Was El Mencho killed in a Mexican military raid?
Yes. On February 22, 2026, Mexican special forces confirmed the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, during a high-risk operation near Puerto Vallarta. He was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and one of the most wanted drug lords in the world. US authorities had put a $15 million bounty on him. His death followed years of failed capture attempts and coordinated U.S.-Mexican intelligence efforts.
2. What weapons were seized in the CJNG raid in Puerto Vallarta?
Mexican forces have seized several rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft, armored vehicles and military-grade heavy firearms. At least five rocket launchers were previously attached to CJNG stocks. These are battlefield weapons, not standard crime weapons. This seizure confirms the CJNG’s access to high-powered arsenals and its capacity to engage federal forces directly.
3. How will El Mencho’s death affect fentanyl smuggling into the United States?
CJNG operates in most of Mexico’s 32 states and has been the primary source of fentanyl entering the U.S. market. Federal indictments accused Oseguera of overseeing large-scale shipments of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl. His death disrupts leadership but does not automatically eliminate supply chains. Production laboratories, trade routes, and distribution cells remain active unless systematically targeted.
