https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/22/americas/mexico-kill-drug-mencho-latam-intl

Mexico’s most-wanted drug leader killed in military operation as violent clashes erupt across country

Mexico City — Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful and long-pursued head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the world’s most wanted traffickers, died following a Mexican military operation Sunday, handing the country a consequential victory as it looks to show tangible results to the Trump administration.

Oseguera, a former police officer, led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, as it became one of the “most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations” inside Mexico, according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

Violence erupted across Mexico after security forces from several federal branches of Mexico’s military carried out the operation in the town of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco.

During the operation, CJNG members traded fire with the government forces, resulting in four gang members being killed at the scene, Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense said.

Osegeura and two others were seriously injured and died as they were being transported via aircraft to Mexico City, according to the secretariat.

Three Mexican military personnel were also injured in the operation and transferred to a hospital in Mexico City for treatment.

The secretariat said that US authorities provided “complementary information” that supported the operation.