25 Mexican National Guard Killed After Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’ Killing/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Twenty-five Mexican National Guard troops were killed in coordinated cartel attacks following the death of cartel leader El Mencho. The CJNG boss was fatally wounded during a military operation in Jalisco. The United States confirmed intelligence support as Mexico braces for further violence.
El Mencho Killing Mexico Operation Quick Looks
- 25 National Guard troops killed in six attacks
- Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”) dies after shootout
- Operation took place in Jalisco state
- More than 250 cartel roadblocks cleared
- 30 suspects killed in Jalisco; 4 in Michoacán
- U.S. provided intelligence support
- CJNG previously designated terrorist organization by U.S.
- Widespread school closures and shelter-in-place warnings
Deep Look: 25 Mexican National Guard Killed After Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’ Killing
Mexico is reeling after a high-risk military operation that killed cartel kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” triggered a wave of retaliatory violence across multiple states. In the aftermath, 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard were left dead in six separate attacks in Jalisco, according to federal authorities.
The cartel leader headed the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s fastest-growing and most heavily armed criminal groups. The organization is widely known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and for carrying out brazen attacks on Mexican security forces and government officials.
Shootout in Jalisco Ends in Death
Mexican military forces located Oseguera Cervantes in Tapalpa, Jalisco, roughly two hours southwest of Guadalajara. During the attempted capture, troops came under heavy fire, sparking a shootout that left four people dead at the scene. Three additional individuals — including El Mencho — were wounded and later died. He succumbed to his injuries while being flown to Mexico City, Mexico’s Defense Department confirmed.
Mexico Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said cartel gunmen quickly responded with coordinated violence. Across 20 states, criminals erected more than 250 roadblocks, torched vehicles and launched attacks against security forces.
Beyond the 25 National Guard members killed, authorities confirmed the deaths of a prison guard, a state prosecutor’s office agent and a woman whose identity was not disclosed. Approximately 30 criminal suspects were killed in Jalisco, with four more fatalities reported in neighboring Michoacán.
States Shut Down as Violence Spreads
The scale of retaliation led several states to cancel school classes and issue warnings urging residents to remain indoors. The capital of Jalisco, Guadalajara — Mexico’s second-largest city — saw widespread disruption Sunday as fearful residents avoided streets amid smoke from burning vehicles.
More than 1,000 people were stranded overnight at the Guadalajara zoo after violence broke out. Families slept inside buses under police protection, while parents struggled to comfort young children amid uncertainty.
Air travel was also affected. Guadalajara’s international airport operated with limited staff due to the unrest, and social media videos showed smoke rising near tourist hubs like Puerto Vallarta.
By Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm, announcing that all known roadblocks had been cleared. Still, many residents remained on edge, bracing for possible further retaliation from CJNG cells.
U.S. Confirms Intelligence Support
The White House confirmed that U.S. authorities provided intelligence assistance for the operation targeting El Mencho. U.S. officials praised Mexico’s military for neutralizing one of the most wanted drug traffickers in both countries.
Under Donald Trump, Washington has intensified pressure on Mexico to curb fentanyl flows into the United States. The U.S. State Department previously offered a $15 million reward for information leading to El Mencho’s capture.
In February 2025, the Trump administration formally designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization, signaling a more aggressive posture against cartel networks.
U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson described bilateral security cooperation as reaching “unprecedented levels,” underscoring the diplomatic importance of the operation.
A Diplomatic Victory — or New Wave of Violence?
Security analysts warn that eliminating a cartel leader can produce mixed results. While the death of El Mencho represents a major symbolic and operational blow, it may also trigger turf wars as rival factions compete to fill the power vacuum.
David Mora, a Mexico analyst with International Crisis Group, said the moment marks a turning point in Sheinbaum’s strategy to confront organized crime more aggressively while resisting calls for unilateral U.S. military intervention on Mexican soil.
Since taking office, Sheinbaum has increased military operations targeting criminal organizations. However, she has previously criticized the so-called “kingpin strategy” used by earlier administrations, arguing that removing cartel leaders often fragments groups and sparks waves of violence.
The CJNG has long been known for its militarized tactics. The cartel has attacked military helicopters, deployed drones loaded with explosives, and used improvised land mines. In 2020, it carried out a high-profile assassination attempt in Mexico City using grenades and high-powered rifles against then-police chief Omar García Harfuch — who now oversees national security operations.
Public Fear and Uncertain Stability
The U.S. Embassy instructed personnel in multiple cities to shelter in place and warned American citizens in affected areas to remain indoors. Meanwhile, Mexican families debated whether it was safe to resume daily routines.
Public transportation disruptions left many workers scrambling to reach jobs, while others chose to remain home amid fears of renewed attacks.
Though authorities say order has been restored in many areas, the coming days will test whether the elimination of El Mencho weakens CJNG’s structure or intensifies internal and external battles for control.
For Mexico’s government, the operation delivers a powerful message of enforcement capability and cooperation with the United States. But for communities across western Mexico, the immediate cost has been steep — measured in lives lost, widespread fear and the uncertainty of what comes next.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.