Members of the Mexican National defender in Mexico City, 22 February 2026. © NurPhoto / Getty Images
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised Mexican safety forces for eliminating 1 of the country's most wanted drug barons, calling it a large triumph for the region and the world.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as El Mencho, was injured during a joint operation led by the Mexican army in the city of Tapalpa, in the western state of Jalisco, and then died during air transport to the city of Mexico, reported the Mexican Ministry of Defense.
It directed Jalisco fresh Generation Cartel, 1 of the most powerful criminal groups in Mexico and allegedly the main supplier of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine to the American market.
The cartel was recognized by Washington last year as a abroad terrorist organization.
Oseguera was the most wanted individual in Mexico and 1 of the most wanted suspects in the United States.
For information leading to his capture, a prize of up to $15 million was offered.
"I just learned that Mexican safety forces killed "El Mencho", 1 of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug lords. This is simply a large step forward for Mexico, the United States, Latin America and the world” – wrote Landau on Sunday on X, adding that "the good are stronger than the bad."
White home press secretary Carolina Leavitt described Cervantes as "infamous drug lord" and confirmed that the United States had provided intelligence support to the operation.“El Mencho” was the main goal of the Mexican and United States governments as 1 of the main smugglers of fentanyl to our homeland” – wrote on X, adding that president Trump's administration thanked "Mexican military for cooperation and successful operation".
According to the Mexican authorities, during the raid soldiers were shot down.
Several alleged cartel members were killed, others were injured or arrested, and weapons, including armored vehicles and rocket launchers, were confiscated.
The operation caused riots in any parts of the state of Jalisco, with reports of burning vehicles and roadblocks.
Authorities called on residents to stay home due to the fact that safety forces tried to halt violence.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/632916-us-hails-mexico-after-cartel/
