Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, one of Mexico’s biggest drug traffickers, known as El Mencho, was killed. Mexico’s Defense Ministry said he was injured in a military operation in the western state of Jalisco. He was being taken to Mexico City by air ambulance, but he died on the way.
According to Reuters report, violence spread in many states after the news of El Mencho’s death. In many places including Jalisco, vehicles were set on fire and armed people closed the roads. Videos viral on social media showed scenes of smoke and stampede in the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco. Burning vehicles were also seen on the roads in Guadalajara. During this time, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro appealed to people to stay in their homes.
El Mencho was the leader of CJNG
El Mencho was the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In the last ten years, this cartel had become the most powerful criminal gang in Mexico. This gang used to smuggle drugs like cocaine, meth and fentanyl to America. America had announced a reward of 15 million dollars for the arrest of El Mencho. Last year, the Trump administration had declared CJNG a foreign terrorist organization.
America’s reaction
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called El Mencho’s death a major achievement for the US, Mexico and Latin America. In view of the violence, America has advised its citizens in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon to stay in their homes. Canada has also asked its citizens to be cautious.
Mexican government was under pressure
This military action took place at a time when Mexico was under pressure from the US to take strict measures against drug trafficking. Under the leadership of El Mencho, CJNG had traveled from a regional gang to an international network. This gang was notorious for heavy weapons and open violence. After his death, the question is now arising whether the cartel will weaken or violence may increase further under the new leadership.
