Mexico's Most Wanted Drug Lord 'El Mencho' Killed in Military Raid
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, leader of CJNG, was killed in a military operation in Jalisco; India, US, Canada issue advisories amid cartel violence
Feb 23, 2026 - The most wanted Mexican drug lord, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, popularly known as “El Mencho”, was killed during a major military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco on Sunday, February 22. He was wounded in a firefight with the Mexican forces and died en route to to Mexico City for medical treatment.
The 59-year-old El Mencho was the feared leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) — considered one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent drug trafficking organisations - and had a $15 million US bounty on his head. The US Justice Department describes CJNG as one of Mexico’s most violent drug cartel and the US indictment lists him among the country’s top fugitives due to the CJNG’s massive role in trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
A statement released by the Mexican Army said that six suspected gang members were also killed in the raid that was carried out with “complementary” intel from the US authorities. The operation involved the Mexican Army and National Guard. Two suspects have been arrested and several weapons were seized.
El Mencho's death has unleashed waves of retaliatory violence across several States in the country by suspected drug cartel members, with road blocks and vehicles and gas stations being set ablaze. Dozens of flights have been cancelled.
US and Canada have issued an advisory to their citizens in Mexico to stay indoors. The Indian Embassy in Mexico has also cautioned its citizens living in Mexico to take shelter until further notice.
#ElMencho #CJNG #MexicoNews #Jalisco #Tapalpa #MexicoSecurity #DrugCartel #BreakingNews #GlobalNews #TravelAdvisory #NorthAmerica #InternationalNews #UdaipurNews #RajasthanNews
To join us on Facebook Click Here and Subscribe to UdaipurTimes Broadcast channels on GoogleNews | Telegram | Signal