Mexican Government Executes Raid That Kills Top Fentanyl Trafficker El Mencho and Confiscates Military-Grade Arsenal in Jalisco State

A tense standoff in the western Mexican state of Jalisco ended violently on Sunday when security forces moved in on one of the country’s most feared drug lords, Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera, known as El Mencho.

The 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was mortally wounded in the operation, which also saw the seizure of rocket launchers, armored vehicles, and other heavy weaponry.

The raid marked one of the most significant confrontations between Mexican authorities and organized crime in recent years.

Rocket Launchers and Military-Grade Weapons Discovered

The scale of the arsenal uncovered in the raid shocked even veteran officials.

Authorities confiscated weapons more commonly associated with militaries than criminal gangs, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft.

These discoveries are not entirely surprising, as CJNG has a documented history of using advanced weaponry, including a 2015 attack where a cartel gunman downed a Mexican military helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade.

Former U.S. officials describe the CJNG as operating more like a paramilitary force than a traditional cartel, with structured enforcement units, armed convoys, and roadblocks to assert control in urban areas.

Analysts say the group’s arsenal has grown steadily as it expanded its influence, incorporating drones, armored vehicles, and even heavy explosives into its operations.

U.S. Role and International Cooperation

The raid was carried out by Mexican Special Forces, supported by Air Force and National Guard rapid-reaction units, acting on intelligence from a new U.S.-led task force called the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel.

Launched late last year, this unit is tasked with mapping cartel networks along the U.S.-Mexico border.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the operation, emphasizing El Mencho’s status as a “top target” for both Mexico and the United States due to his role in trafficking fentanyl.

Leavitt reiterated that the Trump administration had designated the CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, noting that the group’s paramilitary tactics and widespread violence warranted such a classification.

El Mencho’s Rise and Criminal Empire

Oseguera, a former police officer, founded the CJNG as a splinter faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Under his leadership, the group became one of Mexico’s most formidable criminal enterprises, employing up to 20,000 members, according to U.S. estimates.

Beyond drug trafficking, the CJNG has diversified into fuel theft, extortion, human smuggling, and sophisticated financial fraud, reportedly generating billions annually.

The cartel is notorious for its brutality.

From forced recruitment and labor to public executions and social media campaigns showcasing violence, the CJNG has cultivated a reputation for terror.

It has also targeted officials, judges, and law enforcement officers, using drones and military-grade weapons to expand territorial control.

Chaos Erupts After the Raid

El Mencho’s death did not bring calm. Across Mexico, violence flared in response.

In Puerto Vallarta, one of the country’s most popular beach resorts, tourists reported scenes resembling a war zone, with smoke plumes rising from the city and armed cartel members taking control of the airport.

Airlines, including Air Canada, American Airlines, Aeromexico, and United, temporarily suspended flights, stranding travelers.

Social media posts from stranded tourists painted a stark picture of fear and uncertainty.

Makeup artist and influencer Kaila R. Gibson described the chaos and uncertainty of being trapped in her hotel, pleading for prayers while recounting the tense environment around the airport.

Other visitors reported rationing food and relying on limited room service as cartel reprisals disrupted normal life.

Casualties and Arrests

Reports indicate that at least 26 people were killed during the chaos, including 17 security personnel and eight alleged cartel members.

Authorities also announced 25 arrests in Jalisco: 11 for participation in violent acts and 14 for looting.

Security experts warn that El Mencho’s death could trigger internal battles within the CJNG, potentially prolonging violence for months or even years.

Government Response and Ongoing Challenges

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed that most areas of the country continued to function normally, though some schools canceled classes as a precaution.

Sheinbaum faces growing pressure from the Trump administration to intensify operations against cartels, particularly those trafficking synthetic opioids into the U.S.

Despite agreeing to increased cooperation, she emphasized Mexico’s sovereignty and warned against unilateral military actions by the United States.

What’s Next?

The immediate concern for Mexican authorities is maintaining order and preventing further violence from fracturing the CJNG.

Analysts expect skirmishes between rival factions as power vacuums emerge.

The U.S. continues to monitor the situation closely, given the cartel’s history of trafficking fentanyl across the border.

Experts suggest that coordinated international law enforcement and intelligence efforts will be critical to containing the fallout and disrupting the cartel’s operations before new leaders rise to replace El Mencho.

Summary

Mexican Special Forces mortally wounded Ruben “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the powerful and violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a raid in Jalisco, seizing rocket launchers and military-grade weapons.

The operation, aided by U.S. intelligence, targeted one of the world’s most notorious drug traffickers responsible for smuggling methamphetamine and fentanyl into the U.S.

Violence erupted across Mexico following the raid, including in tourist areas like Puerto Vallarta, resulting in at least 26 deaths and 25 arrests.

Experts warn that the cartel may splinter into violent factions, while authorities work to stabilize the region and prevent further criminal activity.