Tapalpa Country Club Hotel denied on Tuesday any link to the operation in which Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, 'El Mencho', leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed. The incident took place in cabins of a nearby residential subdivision, not at the hotel, according to the establishment. The drug lord's death has prompted travel warnings and flight cancellations in Jalisco.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho', was located and killed by Mexican special forces in a group of cabins within the Tapalpa Country Club subdivision, an exclusive residential area in the forests of Jalisco, near the Tapalpa-San Gabriel highway. The operation had information from the United States and took place hours before his death was confirmed on Tuesday.
The Tapalpa Country Club Hotel, an iconic establishment in the area offering cabin-style suites and a golf course, clarified in an Instagram statement that 'this incident had nothing to do with the hotel'. The confusion arose from the name similarity with the subdivision, which includes multiple private properties and other lodging businesses like Cabañas Ubuntu and Rancho Pinto. 'The Country Club is a large subdivision with many private homes', the hotel emphasized, stating it operates normally and rents cabins for individuals, couples, or families.
During the operation, 'El Mencho' took refuge in a cabin surrounded by forest, where authorities found an altar to the Virgin of Guadalupe, a letter with Psalm 91 about divine protection, food remains, fruits, coffee, and medications for kidney problems, suggesting recent occupancy. There were also hygiene items and jackets in the bathroom.
The death of the CJNG leader has impacted the region. At least five countries, including the United States, Canada, Russia, Great Britain, and Argentina, updated travel warnings for Jalisco, advising against non-essential travel to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. On Monday, airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, and Air Canada canceled at least 80 international flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, affecting tourism, real estate investments, and services. Experts note that these alerts respond quickly to security risks, pressuring Mexico's reputation as a destination.
The Tapalpa Country Club subdivision is known for its wooded surroundings and recreational amenities, attracting visitors seeking a nature escape.
