Mexico’s most wanted drug lord ‘El Mencho’ killed in military operation, US, Canada warn citizens to stay indoors
Soldiers on Sunday killed a powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who was one of the most wanted men in Mexico and in the United States, several media outlets reported.
There was no immediate confirmation from the government of the death of Nemesio Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He had a $15 million bounty on his head.
Oseguera is one of the biggest drug suspects to be taken down since the capture of the founders of the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquin Guzman ‘El Chapo’ and Ismael Zambada. Both are serving time in the United States.
Oseguera, whose nickname was “El Mencho,” was reported killed by the Mexican newspapers El Universal and Reforma, and by the Televisa network.
Earlier, people with guns set cars and trucks on fire in the western state of Jalisco, blocking several roads in response to a security operation taking place in the region.
This technique is used to thwart police trying to move in on a high-value target.
The violence spread to the neighboring state of Michoacan, where Oseguera’s cartel also has a presence.
His cartel was formed in 2009 and became one of Mexico’s most violent drug trafficking organizations, according to the US Justice Department.
US officials formally classified it as a terrorist organization and accuse the cartel of sending cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl from Mexico across the border into the United States.
US, Canada warn citizens to stay indoors in Mexico after druglord murder
Meanwhile, the US State Department on Sunday urged American citizens in Mexico to shelter in place amid violence, road blocks and flight cancellations after Mexican soldiers killed a top cartel boss.
“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, US citizens should shelter in place until further notice,” said a statement from the department’s Consular Affairs section on social media platform X.
“Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta,” it said.
Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement. He had a $15 million US bounty on his head.
Canada said it was monitoring the situation closely and advised Canadians in Mexico to “keep a low profile and follow advice of local authorities.”
It urged citizens in Michoacan, Guerrero and Jalisco states to shelter in place, citing “shootouts with security forces and explosions.”
Several US and Canadian airlines cancelled flights to parts of Mexico on Sunday following the unrest.
American carriers United, Southwest, and Alaska, as well as the Canadian airlines Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing, announced the cancellation of flights to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo.
