The demise of notorious Mexican drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” in a military assault on Sunday, February 22, has plunged several Mexican states into chaos. His death ignited a wave of unrest that left a devastating toll across the nation. Local authorities have confirmed a staggering 62 fatalities linked to the violent aftermath of the drug kingpin’s demise, including 25 dedicated members of the National Guard and 34 individuals identified as gang members. Beyond the tragic loss of life, the widespread riots, which erupted late last week, also led to significant property destruction, with numerous buildings and vehicles set ablaze across affected regions.
According to the Mexican Ministry of Defense, the specific military operation in Jalisco that ultimately led to El Mencho’s death was orchestrated by his trusted right-hand man and key financial operator, “El Tuli.” Notably, El Tuli himself also perished during a fierce confrontation with security forces, highlighting the scale and danger of the mission.
Mexican President Reveals Finding El Mencho
The Mexican government shed light on the meticulous operation to locate the elusive drug lord’s hideout just one day after his death, on Monday, February 23. President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly revealed that El Mencho had been discovered in the city of Tapalpa, a significant breakthrough in the long-running pursuit. She confirmed that while the United States provided crucial intelligence data to pinpoint his precise location, there was no direct involvement of American forces in the ground operation. “There was no participation of US forces in this operation. There was only an exchange of information,” Sheinbaum clarified, as quoted by Reuters, addressing potential concerns about foreign intervention.
Info from El Mencho’s Girlfriend
Further details regarding the successful apprehension were provided by Mexico’s Defense Minister, Ricardo Trevilla. He disclosed that a pivotal factor in tracking down El Mencho was sensitive information obtained from one of his romantic partners. This critical tip proved instrumental in enabling security forces to meticulously plan and execute the raid on his compound. During the intense assault, El Mencho’s bodyguards fiercely resisted, initiating a firefight. The ensuing battle spilled into the dense surrounding forest, where the confrontation continued. In the skirmish, El Mencho and two of his personal guards sustained injuries. All three were promptly airlifted via helicopter towards Mexico City for medical attention. Tragically, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” succumbed to his injuries during the journey to the Mexican capital, marking the dramatic end of one of Mexico’s most wanted criminals.
Summary
Notorious Mexican drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” died on Sunday, February 22, during a military assault. His demise sparked widespread chaos across several Mexican states, leading to 62 fatalities, including 25 National Guard members and 34 gang members. The unrest also caused significant property destruction, with numerous buildings and vehicles set ablaze.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later confirmed El Mencho was located in Tapalpa, with crucial intelligence provided by the United States, though no American forces were directly involved in the ground operation. Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla revealed that sensitive information obtained from one of El Mencho’s romantic partners was instrumental in tracking him down. El Mencho and two of his guards sustained injuries during an intense firefight and subsequently succumbed to their wounds while being airlifted for medical attention.