Mexican cartel leader 'El Mencho' killed: Why kingpin's death is causing chaos

The death of the notorious Mexican cartel leader known as "El Mencho" has thrown parts of Mexico into chaos, with far-reaching impacts to travel and American tourists in some of the country’s most popular seaside towns. 

 "El Mencho," whose real name is Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico with a presence in all 50 U.S. states.

Here’s the latest on the aftermath of his death. 

25 Mexican National Guard troops dead after ‘El Mencho’ killed

Local perspective:

The Associated Press reported Monday that 25 members of the National Guard were left dead in Jalisco in six separate attacks after the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho,"according to Mexico Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch.

"El Mencho" was the boss of one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States and staging attacks against government officials.

President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm and authorities told the AP that all the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared. The president was expected to address the situation at her daily news briefing Monday morning.

The White House confirmed that the U.S. provided intelligence support to the operation to capture the cartel leader and applauded Mexico’s army for taking down a man who was one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.

‘El Mencho’ killed

How It Happened:

"El Mencho" was killed during a shoot-out in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military attempted to capture him. Cartel members responded with violence across the country, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles.

Also killed were a prison guard, an agent from the state prosecutor’s office and a woman whom García Harfuch did not identify. He also said some 30 criminal suspects were killed in Jalisco and four others were killed in Michoacan.

According to the U.S. Embassy, the operation was carried out Sunday by Mexican special forces, with U.S. authorities providing "complementary intelligence."

During the operation, troops came under fire and killed four people at the location. Three more people, including "El Mencho," were wounded and later died, the statement said. Two others were arrested and armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other arms were seized. Three members of the armed forces were wounded and receiving medical treatment.

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A member of the National Guard also died in Tapalpa during the operation, six other National Guard members died in Zapopan beside Guadalajara, a jail guard was killed at a lockup in Puerto Vallarta when prisoners rioted, and an agent from the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office was killed in Guadalajara, a Jalisco state official told the AP.

What they're saying:

"Ever since President (Claudia) Sheinbaum has been in power, the army has been way more confrontational, combative against criminal groups in Mexico," David Mora, analyst for International Crisis Group in Mexico, told The Associated Press. "This is signaling to the U.S. that if we keep cooperating, sharing intelligence, Mexico can do it, we don’t need U.S. troops on Mexican soil."

Chaos after cartel leader killed 

Big picture view:

Oseguera Cervantes’s death caused chaos in several Mexican states Sunday due to a forceful reaction from the CJNG cartel. 

Cars burned out by cartel members blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states. Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, was turned into a ghost town Sunday night as civilians hunkered down. School was canceled Monday in several states.

Videos on social media showed smoke billowing over the seaside tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, and people sprinting through the Guadalajara airport in panic.

Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus told residents to stay at home and suspended public transportation.

Flights canceled, tourists locked down

Why you should care:

The U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon states to remain in safe places due to the ongoing security operations. 

In Puerto Vallarta, tourists were told not to leave their resorts amid "clashes" in the area. 

All major U.S. airlines, as well as Air Canada, canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara Sunday. Some also canceled flights to Mazatlán.

It's unclear if flights are canceled again Monday. 

Who was ‘El Mencho’?

The backstory:

"El Mencho" was the kingpin of the CJNG cartel, one of the biggest cartels in Mexico and a main supplier of cocaine to the United States. 

Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was originally from Aguililla in the neighboring state of Michoacan. He had been significantly involved in drug trafficking activities since the 1990s. In the U.S., he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in northern California in 1994 and served nearly three years in prison.

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After his release, Oseguera Cervantes returned to Mexico and joined drug lord Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, or  "Nacho Coronel," in more drug trafficking.  Following Villarreal’s death, Oseguera Cervantes and Erik Valencia Salazar, "El 85," created the Jalisco New Generation Cartel around 2007.

Initially, they worked for the Sinaloa Cartel, but eventually split and for years the two cartels have battled for territory across Mexico.

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Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes has been indicted several times in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. 

The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.