White House: US backed Mexico operation that killed drug lord El Mencho

23 February 2026 12:22

The White House said the United States provided intelligence support to Mexican authorities during an operation in Talpalpa, in the western state of Jalisco, in which Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed.

In a statement posted on X, the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the operation resulted in the death of Oseguera, described as “an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel”.

Three additional cartel members were killed, three were wounded and two were arrested, according to the statement.

“The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes … was eliminated,” the press secretary said.

Oseguera was identified by US authorities as the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a powerful criminal group accused of trafficking large quantities of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States.

“‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” the spokesperson said.

The statement also referred to a move last year by President Donald Trump to designate the cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation. “President Trump rightfully designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation — because that’s exactly what it is,” the press secretary said.

The White House added that the administration “commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation”.

Former police officer Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was killed on February 22 in an operation by Mexican special forces, marking a major blow to one of the country’s most powerful criminal organisations, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Co-founded by Oseguera around 2007, the CJNG rose rapidly to prominence, becoming notorious in Mexico for its aggressive tactics, military-style weaponry and high-profile attacks on security forces. The group has been linked to assaults on military helicopters, the use of explosive-laden drones, and a 2020 assassination attempt against Mexico City’s then police chief.

Following his death, unrest erupted in several cities, with criminal groups reportedly setting vehicles on fire and clashing with security forces.

US authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, have described the cartel as a major security threat, with operations spanning all 50 US states. The CJNG has been a leading supplier of cocaine and has generated substantial revenue from fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking.

Oseguera, 59, was born in Michoacán and previously served time in the United States on heroin trafficking charges. After returning to Mexico, he became involved with the Sinaloa Cartel before breaking away to form the CJNG. He had faced multiple US indictments on drug trafficking and firearms charges prior to his death.

By Aghakazim Guliyev

Caliber.Az

Read more about the key topics in this news story.