Mexico Confirms Death of ‘El Mencho,’ Leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel

Mexico’s Most-Wanted Cartel Boss Killed by Security Forces, Officials SayNemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was the head of the Jalisco-new-generation-cartel" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="15215" data-entity-type="organization">Jalisco New Generation Cartel and widely regarded as one of the country’s most violent criminal figures.Police officers passing through a Mexican military checkpoint in Naranjo De Chila, Mexico, the hometown of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, in 2022.Credit...Daniel Berehulak for The New York TimesFeb. 22, 2026Updated 1:18 p.m. ETThe Mexican government said it killed the nation’s most wanted cartel boss on Sunday, a major victory in its new offensive against the country’s criminal groups and a move that could help reduce pressure from President Trump, who has been threatening strikes in Mexico.Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was the longtime leader of one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels, Jalisco-new-generation-cartel" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="15215" data-entity-type="organization">Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and was widely regarded as one of the country’s most violent criminal figures. He presided over a criminal enterprise that expanded rapidly over the past decade, producing and selling drugs and extorting local businesses. He also built a reputation for brazen attacks on security forces and terrorizing communities across the country.Mexican security forces killed Mr. Oseguera in Tapalapa, a town of about 20,000, in the western coastal state of Jalisco, where his cartel was founded and based, according to a Mexican government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe details of the operation. Mexican officials have not disclosed other details of the operation but planned to report more later Sunday.Mr. Oseguera’s killing set off a swift outbreak of violence across Mexico. In at least five states, including Jalisco, residents and local authorities reported burning vehicles blocking streets, a common practice by drug cartels.The state of Jalisco said it had suspended public transportation in some areas and warned hotels to instruct their guests to remain inside. Some of the violence occurred in Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital, which is a host city for this year’s World Cup.The Jalisco-new-generation-cartel" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="15215" data-entity-type="organization">Jalisco New Generation Cartel, often referred to as the CJNG, grew into one of Mexico’s dominant trafficking organizations under Mr. Oseguera’s command, battling rivals across multiple states while moving synthetic drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and, in recent years, fentanyl into the United States.His death is a significant blow to the criminal group and could set off both internal power struggles and renewed violence as factions compete for control.It is also likely to improve the Mexican government’s relations with Washington. Mr. Trump has been pressuring Mexico to combat the cartels more forcefully and threatening military strikes against the groups if he was not satisfied with the results.President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico has firmly and repeatedly rejected that proposal, saying any U.S. strikes would violate Mexico’s sovereignty. At the same time, her government has expanded its cooperation with U.S. security agencies, including on intelligence.Miriam Castillo contributed reporting from Mexico City.This is a developing story.Jack Nicas is The Times’s Mexico City bureau chief, leading coverage of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.SKIP