Who was El Mencho, Mexico's most wanted man?
The BBC's Will Grant examines the power wielded by the Jalisco drug cartel chief, who died after a clash with security forces assisted by US intelligence.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
""He has got an enormous amount of weapons, RPGs, 50 caliber weapons. He basically has his own SWAT teams.""
— Matthew Donahue , Other
"We must remain informed and calm."
— Claudia Sheinbaum , Politician
"This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America and the world."
— Christopher Landau , Other
"one of the most dangerous narco terrorists in the world who’s responsible for killing historic amounts of Americans."
— Derek Maltz , Other
"I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins."
— Christopher Landau , Other
Key People
Former US ambassador to Mexico.
Claudia Sheinbaum is the President of Mexico City.
He is a retired former acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada is a leading figure in the Sinaloa Cartel.
He is one of El Chapo's sons who surrendered to US authorities.
He is a former DEA agent, discussing the priority of Oseguera Cervantes for federal law enforcement.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho', is a notorious drug lord in Mexico.
Leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Omar García Harfuch is the head of security in Mexico.
Ruben 'Nemesio' Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' was the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Tags
All Coverage
The BBC's Will Grant examines the power wielded by the Jalisco drug cartel chief, who died after a clash with security forces assisted by US intelligence.
According to prosecutors, El Mencho told people that he killed Gutierrez-Ochoa for lying, but Gutierrez-Ochoa actually faked his death and fled from Mexico to Riverside, California. Oseguera Cervantes' wife was eventually released from prison in February 2025.
The Mexican army has killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. His death is considered a significant blow to the CJNG, one of Mexico's most powerful and dangerous cartels.
El 22 de febrero de 2026, el Gobierno de México confirmó la muerte de Rubén Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho', durante un operativo de seguridad en la sierra del estado de Jalisco. Líder del Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), El Mencho era considerado el narcotraficante más buscado y peligroso del mundo, y uno de los principales objetivos de seguridad tanto para México como para Estados Unidos, que ofrecía 15 millones de dólares por su captura.
Authorities have confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a military operation in Mexico. His death is seen as a significant blow to the CJNG, one of Mexico's most powerful and dangerous cartels.
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