Who is "El Mencho" that the US offered $15 million to capture?
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- Mexico kills Nemesio “El Mencho,” top CJNG cartel leader.
- US offered $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", one of the world’s most dangerous drug lords, was killed during a military operation in Jalisco, western Mexico, the Defense Ministry confirmed Sunday.
Military Operation and Violent Clashes
The operation took place in the town of Tablapa, where heavy clashes left four cartel members dead and three soldiers wounded. El Mencho was injured during the operation and died while being airlifted to Mexico City.
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Major Blow to Organized Crime
El Mencho led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), considered one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations, with operations across multiple states and major influence in trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl to the United States.
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The US Department of Justice had indicted him in 2022 for running an active fentanyl trafficking network across the southern border. The Mexican embassy in Washington confirmed that US intelligence contributed to the operation.
US Reaction
Christopher Landau, US deputy secretary of state, called El Mencho’s death “a major development for Mexico, the United States, and Latin America,” while expressing “deep concern” over the violence following the raid.
Profile of El Mencho
- Full Name: Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes
- Age: 59
- Background: Former police officer turned drug lord
- Position: Leader of CJNG
- Reach: Commanded one of Mexico’s largest and most violent criminal organizations
- US Charges: Methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking; running multi-state operations
- US Reward: $15 million
