Mexico’s most-wanted man is dead. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the brutal architect of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed Sunday during a high-stakes military raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco.The aftermath has been swift and scorched-earth: cartel operatives have launched a coordinated wave of violence across 13 states, paralyzing major cities and tourist hubs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Deadly Operation
- The Target: El Mencho, the elusive leader who transformed the CJNG into a global drug-trafficking empire.
- The Outcome: He was injured during the raid and died while being airlifted to Mexico City. Nine other cartel members were killed; three security officers were injured.
- The Arsenal: Authorities seized military-grade hardware, including rocket launchers capable of taking down aircraft.
Mexico Under Siege: The Immediate Fallout
In a massive show of “narco-retaliation,” armed groups have set fire to banks, supermarkets, and vehicles to create blockades.
- Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta: The state of Jalisco is the epicenter. Public transit is suspended, and tourists have been warned to stay inside their hotels.
- Airports & Infrastructure: Panic erupted at Guadalajara International Airport as travelers fled the terminal. Flights have been diverted and ports closed.
- Yucatán Peninsula: Even distant tourist hubs like Cancún and Playa del Carmen reported fires at supermarkets.
- Public Life: Soccer matches, concerts, and Monday classes have been canceled across multiple states.
The Power Vacuum: What’s at Stake?
“The significance rivals the capture of ‘El Chapo.’ Whether this leads to a fracturing of the CJNG or a disciplined succession will determine if Mexico faces a new, even bloodier wave of internal cartel wars.” — Vanda Felbab-Brown, Brookings Institution
The Washington Connection
The operation, fueled by U.S. intelligence, comes at a high-pressure moment. President Trump has recently threatened military strikes against cartels; this successful Mexican-led mission may ease that diplomatic tension while proving Mexico’s capability to hit high-value targets.
