Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’ and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed in an armed confrontation between the military and members of the drug trafficking group. The objective of the operation was to arrest ‘El Mencho’, although he was finally killed, according to the Mexican Government’s version. The US provided support in the operation, since he was one of the most wanted criminals by both countries in a context of great tension due to fentanyl trafficking.
Following the death of ‘El Mencho’, the drug traffickers mobilized and caused chaos in the streets of different parts of the country, with a wave of violence and road blockades that had its epicenter in Jalisco (west), where the operation that ended the life of the leader of the Cartel took place.
The images of chaos in the streets of Mexico
It all started in Jalisco, but shortly after, road blockades and burning vehicles began to be seen in various parts of the state, such as in Michoacán and Colima (west), where more cars crossed on federal highways were reported, while in Guanajuato (center) images of burned businesses have been seen.
Incidents were also recorded in Nayarit (west), Aguascalientes (center), Tamaulipas, Baja California (north), Guerrero, Chiapas and Quintana Roo (south), according to the authorities report. The Guadalajara airport has also experienced moments of tension, with scared travelers running to the upper floors trying to escape the flames.
In Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco), airlines canceled all international operations and most national operations, while the Guadalajara Airport reported that it maintains normal operations under strong protection from federal forces.
Given the escalation of violence, the Government of Jalisco activated the “red code” and reinforced the deployment of the National Guard and the Army. In addition, he announced the temporary suspension of mass events, public transportation and in-person classes on Monday the 23rd, as a preventive measure due to violence.
In-person classes have also been officially suspended on Monday in the states of Nayarit, Michoacán, Colima (west), Veracruz and some areas of Oaxaca (south).
Sheinbaum calls for “calm” and the US welcomes the death of El Mencho
So far no civilian casualties have been reported due to the blockades, although the authorities maintain the security deployment in the event of possible new reactions. For her part, the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, called on citizens to remain “informed and calm”, after the operation that led to various road blockades and other violent reactions.
Oseguera Cervantes was killed in Tapalpa, 130 kilometers south of Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco, during an operation led by federal forces with support from US intelligence.
According to the Mexican Army, soldiers repelled an attack that left four members of the CJNG dead on the spot and three more seriously injured, who died during their air transport to Mexico City. Among the latter was the criminal leader himself.
El Mencho, 59, was one of the most wanted criminals by Mexican and American authorities, with a million-dollar reward for information leading to his capture.
