Mexico Confirms Death of ‘El Mencho,’ Jalisco Cartel Leader

Mexico’s government said it killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the country’s most wanted and violent criminal figures. Security forces killed him in Tapalpa, a town in Jalisco where the cartel was founded, and the government planned to provide more details later Sunday.

His death set off a swift outbreak of violence across at least five states, with burning vehicles blocking streets in several places. Jalisco authorities suspended public transportation in some areas and warned hotels to keep guests inside; some disturbances occurred in Guadalajara, a host city for this year’s World Cup.

Under El Mencho, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel grew into a dominant trafficking organization, moving synthetic drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States while extorting businesses and attacking security forces.

Mexico, Tapalpa, Jalisco

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