New Delhi/Mexico City: Mexico has been rocked by a wave of violence following the killing of notorious drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”, in a military operation, prompting India and the United States to issue advisories asking their citizens to remain indoors in affected regions.
Operation in Tapalpa: The Raid That Killed El Mencho
The chief of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was cornered during a joint security operation in the Tapalpa region of Jalisco state in western Mexico. Acting on intelligence inputs, security forces moved in to capture him, triggering a prolonged gun battle after heavily armed cartel members opened fire. Four suspects were killed at the scene, while Oseguera was critically injured. He died while being airlifted for medical treatment. Three soldiers were also wounded in the operation.
Security agencies described the action as the biggest strike against a cartel in nearly a decade, comparable to the 2016 capture of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Violent Backlash Spreads Across Five States
News of the cartel chief’s death sparked immediate retaliatory violence. Buses and trucks were set ablaze, roadblocks were erected and clashes with security forces were reported in multiple locations. The country’s second-largest city, Guadalajara, came under tension, prompting school closures and stay-indoors advisories for residents.
Authorities said the unrest had spread to at least five states. Neighbouring Guatemala tightened border security, while additional troops were deployed on key highways and in sensitive zones across Mexico.
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Global Bounty and CJNG’s International Reach
₹125 crore bounty and global network El Mencho was among the most wanted criminals in the United States, which had announced a reward of $15 million — about ₹125 crore — for information leading to his capture. US agencies identified him as a key figure in the global trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, with networks extending across North America, Europe and parts of Asia.
Who was El Mencho
The 59-year-old had been linked to organised crime for more than three decades. He was arrested in the United States in 1994 on heroin trafficking charges, served a prison term and returned to Mexico, where he rose rapidly in the underworld. Around 2009, he founded the CJNG, which evolved into one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent cartels within a few years.
The organisation has been accused of large-scale drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, extortion and human smuggling. Its notoriety peaked in 2015 when cartel operatives shot down a Mexican military helicopter, signalling its growing firepower and operational reach.
US pressure and intelligence sharing
The operation comes amid sustained pressure from Washington on Mexico to intensify action against drug cartels. Officials confirmed that intelligence sharing between the two countries played a role in the success of the mission.
Advisory for Indian nationals In view of the escalating violence, the Indian Embassy in Mexico has advised Indian citizens in Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel. The US State Department has issued a similar alert for its nationals.
Power Vacuum and Security Uncertainty Ahead
Experts warn that the death of a major cartel leader often triggers internal power struggles, increasing the risk of further violence. CJNG is believed to operate in more than half of Mexico’s states and maintains an extensive international footprint, raising concerns over a potential leadership battle.
Mexican security forces are working to restore order, but analysts say dismantling such a vast criminal network will take time. The focus now shifts to who will assume control of the cartel and whether the current surge in violence will subside or intensify.
While El Mencho’s killing is being seen as a major victory in Mexico’s long-running war on drugs, the violent aftermath underscores the continuing challenge posed by organised crime in the country.
