Rocket launchers seized in El Mencho raid highlight CJNG firepower
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Mexican forces seized rocket launchers capable of hitting planes during the operation on Sunday in which cartel boss Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was killed. This underscores how the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has accumulated military-style firepower over the years.
Authorities had previously linked the CJNG to a 2015 attack in Jalisco in which cartel gunmen shot down a Mexican military helicopter using rocket-propelled grenades; one of the most striking examples of the cartel engaging federal forces directly with battlefield-grade weapons.
The attack marked a turning point in how Mexican officials viewed the group’s capabilities.
During Sunday’s raid, officials said security forces were attacked and returned fire, and aircraft and special units were deployed to carry out the operation. Officials said soldiers confiscated armored vehicles and heavy weapons, equipment more often associated with armed conflicts rather than routine law enforcement.
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Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera Cervantes, aka “El Mencho”, was killed during a Mexican operation in Jalisco on Sunday. (Drug Enforcement Administration)
The participation of Mexican Special Forces in the mission, with aircraft support from Air Force and National Guard rapid response units, underlined the scale of force needed to confront top cartel leaders.
Former US officials have described the CJNG as operating more like a paramilitary organization than a traditional smuggling ring, using coordinated roadblocks, armed convoys and structured enforcement wings to maintain control over disputed areas.
In previous reports, former Drug Enforcement Administration officials have said the group commands large numbers of armed men and organizes itself in a way that allows it to deploy forces quickly and visibly.
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CJNG is known for its paramilitary-style operations and structure. (Eduardo Verdugo, File/AP Photo)
The CJNG’s tactics include seizing vehicles and launching coordinated attacks in urban areas to demonstrate its power and deter rivals or security forces.
Over time, such demonstrations strengthened its reputation as one of Mexico’s most heavily armed criminal organizations.
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Smoke rises into the sky over Puerto Vallarta during an operation targeting cartel activities on February 22, 2026. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
The State Department issued a travel warning Sunday urging Americans in several Mexican states to shelter in place due to “ongoing security operations and associated road closures and criminal activity,” reflecting the instability that could follow major cartel conflicts.
In recent years, as groups like the CJNG have expanded their reach and arsenal, Mexican authorities have increasingly relied on military forces rather than local police to confront top cartel figures.
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The raid that killed “El Mencho” marked not only the elimination of a powerful drug lord but also another example of how heavily armed cartels can challenge state forces in direct conflict.
