Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho', leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, died on February 22, 2026, during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, after being wounded in a confrontation. The incident triggered a wave of violence with narcoblockades and vehicle burnings in several states. Mexican and U.S. authorities highlighted the intelligence cooperation that enabled the action.
On February 22, 2026, elite Mexican Army forces located Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, 'El Mencho', in a cabin in Tapalpa, Jalisco, through tracking a trusted associate of one of his romantic partners. The operation, planned from February 21, led to an armed confrontation where Oseguera was seriously wounded and died during helicopter transfer to a hospital in Mexico City.
The toll included 25 Guardia Nacional members killed (24 men and one woman), one prison custodian, and one Jalisco state prosecutor's office staffer, according to the Tabasco Congress. Authorities reported about 30 CJNG members killed, including Rubén Guerrero Valadez, alias 'El R1' or 'El Láminas', son of Heraclio Guerrero Martínez, 'Tío Lako', a key operator on the Jalisco-Michoacán border.
'El Mencho's death sparked narcoblockades and attacks in Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, and other states, impacting civilians like a group of 15 elderly tourists whose bus was set on fire by alleged CJNG sicarios on the Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta highway. Regional Mexican singer Francisco 'Gallo' Elizalde was stranded for 28 hours on a road, hearing nearby gunshots.
In the Tapalpa cabin, medications such as Antiflu-Des, Tempra, Tationil Plus, Pepsane, Flanax, and Night-Z were found, indicating the criminal leader's health issues, including possible renal insufficiency. Oseguera's family claimed his body from the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR).
Tapalpa Mayor Antonio Morales Díaz stated tranquility is returning to the tourist municipality. President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed a call with Donald Trump, who inquired about the situation, and stressed the operation was Mexican with U.S. intelligence support. Senator Lilly Téllez accused U.S. pressure to act, suggesting the death was intended to prevent statements. The United States praised the cooperation, highlighting seizures of nearly two tons of methamphetamine and 53 kg of fentanyl.
