Violence quickly spread across western Mexico after a major military operation targeted one of the country’s most wanted crime figures. Officials say at least 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard were killed following the raid linked to cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as “El Mencho.”
Mexico’s Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said the deaths happened during a wave of retaliatory attacks in the state of Jalisco. Authorities reported that organized crime groups launched blockades, arson attacks, and armed assaults after the operation.
One official from the state attorney’s office was also killed, highlighting the scale of the violence that followed.
El Mencho is the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most feared criminal groups. He had long been considered the country’s most wanted cartel figure, with a reward of about $15 million offered for information leading to his capture.
According to officials, the military operation resulted in his capture and death, a development that triggered immediate retaliation from cartel members. Burning vehicles, roadblocks, and attacks on security forces were reported across several areas, creating widespread disruption.
Mexico’s Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla said intelligence that helped locate El Mencho came from someone close to him, including a romantic partner. Authorities did not provide further details but said the information was key to the operation’s success.
The raid represents one of the most significant blows to organized crime in Mexico in recent years. However, analysts warn that removing cartel leaders often leads to short-term spikes in violence as groups fight for control or seek revenge.
Jalisco has been a central battleground in Mexico’s ongoing struggle against organized crime. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has expanded rapidly over the past decade, building an international drug trafficking network and becoming a major security challenge for the government.
Officials say security forces remain on high alert as they work to prevent further attacks. The incident underscores the risks faced by Mexican security personnel and the continuing difficulty of dismantling powerful criminal organizations without triggering new waves of violence.
