- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
One of the most wanted drug traffickers in the world, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, was killed by Mexican security forces using US intelligence. The action is a significant setback for the influential Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a criminal organisation that US authorities have long accused of smuggling fentanyl and other drugs into the country.
Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico's Security Secretary, who has become a pivotal figure in the nation's fight against organised crime and a vital ally of Washington in cross-border security initiatives, oversaw the operation.
A Longtime US Target
El Mencho had been one of the most wanted drug traffickers globally, with US authorities offering multimillion-dollar rewards for information leading to his capture. The CJNG has been linked by US law enforcement to large-scale fentanyl production and smuggling operations fueling America’s opioid crisis.
Mexican officials said the recent military operation in the mountains of Tapalpa, Jalisco, involved the Army, Air Force and intelligence agencies. Several cartel members were killed, and El Mencho died from wounds sustained during the engagement.
Garcia Harfuch publicly praised the armed forces following the mission, calling it a coordinated national security effort. His appointment in October 2024 as Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection placed him at the forefront of efforts to dismantle cartels with international reach.
Survived Assassination Attempt
Garcia Harfuch’s battle against the CJNG is personal. In 2020, gunmen linked to the cartel ambushed his convoy in Mexico City, firing hundreds of rounds. He was shot three times but survived. Two bodyguards and a civilian were killed in the attack, which authorities blamed on El Mencho’s organisation.
The security chief, born in 1982 in Cuernavaca, comes from a prominent family. He previously served as Mexico City’s police chief, where he gained attention for reducing homicide rates. His high-profile stance against cartel violence has earned him the nickname “Mexico’s Batman.”
El Mencho’s death has raised concerns in both Mexico and the US about possible retaliatory violence and shifts in drug trafficking routes. Following the operation, unrest was reported in several Mexican states, including road blockades, vehicle fires and attacks on businesses.
US officials have repeatedly pressed Mexico to intensify efforts against fentanyl trafficking networks, making the takedown of a major cartel leader a significant development in bilateral security cooperation.
While some Mexicans credit Garcia Harfuch for taking decisive action against organised crime, others caution against viewing any single official as a solution to deeply entrenched criminal networks.
Analysts note that dismantling cartel leadership does not automatically eliminate trafficking operations, especially those tied to US drug demand and cross-border supply chains.
For now, Mexican authorities say the operation sends a clear message that high-ranking cartel leaders are not beyond reach, a signal likely to resonate on both sides of the US-Mexico border.