In a dramatic security development that has shaken Mexican and international circles, Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known globally as " El Mencho ," was killed on Sunday, bringing to a close a bloody era led by one of the world's most wanted men. The lord's demise came during a precise military operation carried out by the Mexican army in the town of Tabalpa, Jalisco state, the main stronghold of his organization, which led to violent armed clashes and a state of security chaos in the region.
El Mencho is considered the mastermind behind the rise of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which transformed in just a few years from a local gang into a transnational criminal empire. Here are 10 key facts and pieces of information you may not know about this leader who has been a thorn in the side of both the Mexican and American governments:
1. El Chapo's successor and the most bloodthirsty
After the arrest and extradition of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán to the United States, "El Mencho" did not leave a vacuum but filled it with unprecedented speed. His reign was marked by extreme brutality, surpassing that of his predecessors. The Jalisco Cartel relied on paramilitary tactics and displays of force through videos showing its heavily armed and armored forces, openly defying the state.
2. America's number one wanted man
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has placed "El Mencho" at the top of its most wanted list. U.S. authorities have offered a substantial reward of up to $10 million (with some sources indicating it may increase) for information leading to his capture, given his direct responsibility for flooding the United States with synthetic drugs.
3. Former policeman turned criminal
One of the strange ironies of Nemesio Oseguera's life is that in his youth he worked as a local policeman in the state of Jalisco. This background gave him a deep understanding of police movements and tactics, which later helped him evade arrest and build an intelligence network within the security services to protect his organization.
4. Engineer of the Fentanyl Trade
The Jalisco Cartel, under the leadership of "El Mencho," is credited with playing a major role in shifting the global drug market toward synthetic substances, specifically fentanyl. This deadly opioid has caused major health crises in the United States, making its eradication a top priority for U.S. national security.
5. Unprecedented global expansion
El Mencho didn't just control Mexico; he extended his tentacles of influence to other continents. Intelligence reports indicate the cartel has links in Europe and Asia, where the precursors needed to manufacture drugs are imported from Asian countries and then processed in clandestine labs in Mexico.
6. A family behind bars
While he remained at large for years, his family fell one by one into the hands of justice. His son, known as "El Menchito," was extradited to the United States, and his wife, Rosalinda González Valencia, considered the organization's financial mastermind, was arrested, further isolating him and tightening the noose around him before his death.
7. Mysterious health condition
El Mencho has been plagued by persistent rumors about his deteriorating health, with previous reports indicating he suffered from acute kidney failure and required ongoing dialysis. His condition is believed to have forced him to hide in remote mountainous areas, making him difficult to reach for years.
8. Use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
El Mencho revolutionized guerrilla warfare through the use of technology. His organization was among the first to use explosive-laden drones to attack rivals and police forces, reflecting a dangerous evolution in the armament of Mexican cartels.
9. Control of strategic ports
El Mencho's strategy focused on controlling key Mexican seaports, such as Manzanillo. This control ensured a steady flow of chemicals and a smooth export of drugs, making the Jalisco Cartel a formidable economic force.
10. After the departure: Fears of a bloodbath
With the confirmation of El Mencho's death, security experts anticipate a period of instability. The absence of a single leader often leads to internal divisions and bloody succession struggles, as well as attempts by rival cartels (such as the Sinaloa Cartel) to regain control of their spheres of influence, raising the specter of a new wave of violence that could engulf the country.
