Mexican authorities have killed one of the world’s most wanted drug criminals, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho” and the founder and leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation drug cartel, which controls drug trafficking, extortion, fuel theft and other rackets across Mexico.
Mexico’s Defense Ministry confirmed the death, saying Oceguera was wounded during an operation in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco state, on Sunday morning. The military said Oceguera died while flying to Mexico City with other cartel associates for medical treatment.
Oceguera’s death is the most significant bust of a Mexican drug kingpin since the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman. Joaquín Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, is currently serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison.
In the past, the arrest or death of a cartel leader has led to violence as factions vie for control. Chaos broke out in western Mexico on Sunday.
A family in Jalisco state, who asked not to be identified because of security concerns, said cartel members pulled people from their vehicles on the street and set them on fire. Cars, trucks and buses were seen on fire and billowing smoke on roads in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, as well as in the states of Nayarit and Michoacán, according to videos circulating on social media.
The governor of Jalisco reported roadblocks and other disturbances across the western state and advised people to stay home. Flights at the airport in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, were suspended.
Authorities also reported road blockades in other parts of Mexico controlled by the cartel. Mexico’s criminal gangs often use roadblocks to protest law enforcement operations.
Oceguera’s death is a major achievement for the administration of Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum, who has been under intense pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on drug trafficking destined for the United States. Last year, Mexico sent dozens of drug cartel suspects to the United States to face trial.
U.S. authorities are offering a $15 million reward for information leading to Oseguera’s arrest or conviction.
It is unclear what role, if any, U.S. authorities played in the operation to bring down Oseguera. Scheinbaum promised “cooperation and coordination” with U.S. officials but rejected any direct U.S. role in anti-cartel operations.
Oseguera is said to have begun his career as a small-time heroin dealer in San Francisco.
As one of the most wanted criminals in the world, rumors surrounding El Mencho’s death and arrest have circulated in the past, but have proven to be false. But in recent years, authorities appear to have mounted a siege, seizing several senior colleagues and close family members.
Oseguera oversaw the militarization of his cartel, which pioneered the use of armored vehicles, landmines, drones and other military hardware. In other attacks, Jalisco gangs were blamed for shooting down a Mexican military helicopter in 2015, killing nine Mexican law enforcement officials. The helicopter, which was on a mission to capture the elusive drug cartel boss, was reportedly hit by a US-made .50-caliber machine gun round.
His son Rubén Oseguera González, known as “El Menchito,” was arrested and extradited from Mexico in February 2020. He was convicted in 2024 on a series of drug and weapons charges related to his cartel leadership role and is currently serving a life sentence.
U.S. Bureau of Prisons records show he is being held at a maximum-security federal prison in Florence, Colorado, known as “Alcatraz of the Rockies,” which also houses El Chapo and other high-profile criminals.
His daughter, Jessica Johanna Oseguera González, was arrested while attending one of her brother’s court proceedings and eventually pleaded guilty to violating the so-called Kingpin Act related to money laundering. She reportedly spent more than two years in prison before being released in 2022.
Times staff writers MacDonald, Lincicome and Hamilton reported from Mexico City, New York and San Francisco, respectively. Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal in Mexico City contributed to this report.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
