Mexican government forces have reportedly killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a major security operation on Sunday.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official confirmation from the Mexican government regarding Oseguera’s death. However, multiple reputable media outlets, including El Universal, Reforma, and broadcaster Televisa, reported that the notorious cartel boss — widely known by his alias “El Mencho” — was killed by government soldiers.
El Mencho had long been one of the most wanted drug traffickers in both Mexico and the United States, with a reported $15 million bounty placed on his head by U.S. authorities.
Security analysts describe the reported killing as one of the most significant blows to organized crime in Mexico in recent years, comparable to the arrests of Joaquín Guzmán (El Chapo) and Ismael Zambada, both founders of the Sinaloa Cartel who are currently serving prison sentences in the United States.
The CJNG, founded in 2009, rapidly rose to prominence and is regarded by the U.S. Department of Justice as one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations.
Shortly before reports of El Mencho’s death emerged, armed groups reportedly set cars and trucks ablaze in parts of Jalisco, blocking major roads in what security sources described as a tactic to slow down or repel security forces during operations targeting high-value suspects.
The violence later spread to neighbouring Michoacán, a stronghold of the CJNG, heightening fears among residents and travellers.
Videos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showed scenes of panic at Guadalajara International Airport, where gunmen reportedly attacked facilities in response to the security operation.
The footage captured airport staff and passengers fleeing for safety, with some crouching behind desks and chairs, while others ran carrying children. The scenes underscored the far-reaching impact of cartel violence and the immediate fallout from the reported death of the cartel leader.
Watch the video below…
BREAKING:
Passengers fleeing in panic from Guadalajara International Airport in Jalisco after a CJNG Cartel attack on the airport.
CJNG has launched attacks across the state in response to the founder & leader of the cartel “El Mencho” having been killed in an army operation pic.twitter.com/uM9Eerecm5
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) February 22, 2026
Chaos erupts at Guadalajara International Airport in Jalisco, Mexico, as the CJNG Cartel launches attacks outside and potentially inside the airport, as retaliation for today’s successful elimination of CJNG leader El Mencho. pic.twitter.com/fspjMASWV1
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 22, 2026
