Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartels (CJNG) and one of the most wanted drug traffickers by the United States, has reportedly been killed during a military operation in western Mexico.
Secretariat of National Defense confirmed in a statement on Sunday that security forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa, where troops came under attack and returned fire.
According to the ministry, four suspected CJNG members were killed at the scene, while three others who were seriously wounded later died during air transfer to Mexico City.
Authorities said one of those killed, identified as Rubén “N,” also known as “Mencho,” is believed to be the cartel leader, though forensic identification is ongoing.
The United States had placed a $15 million bounty on Oseguera Cervantes, citing his role in leading one of Mexico’s most violent drug trafficking organisations.
Earlier in February, the administration of Donald Trump designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organisation.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed the development, describing the killing as a significant breakthrough for regional security.
“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.
This is a great development for Mexico, the U.S., Latin America, and the world,” Landau said in a statement.
Authorities say further forensic procedures are underway to confirm the identity, while security agencies continue operations against the cartel’s network.
