Mexico latest: Killing of cartel drug lord El Mencho leads to warnings for stranded US tourists to ‘seek shelter’

The U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs has urged Americans in several parts of Mexico to shelter in place “due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity.”

Regions under the advisory include the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.

Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines have all suspended flights in response to the violence we have seen.

Isabel Keane has more.

This is what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said about Sunday’s events:

“The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated.

“‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland.

“Last year, President Trump rightfully designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization – because that’s exactly what it is. In this operation, three additional cartel members were killed, three were wounded, and two were arrested.

“President Trump has been very clear – the United States will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved.

“The Trump administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation.”

This is what Claudia Scheinbaum has had to say on X and she seeks to reassure the public:

“The Secretariat of National Defense reported on the operation carried out this morning by federal forces, which resulted in various blockades and other reactions.

“There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm.

“The social media accounts of the Security Cabinet provide permanent updates. In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality.

“My recognition to the Mexican Army, National Guard, Armed Forces, and Security Cabinet.

“We work every day for peace, security, justice, and the well-being of Mexico.”

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was reportedly a former police officer, who switched sides to run the vast criminal drug trafficking operation.

Formed in 2009, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, rapidly became one of Mexico's most violent drug cartels. It is believed to possess the highest capacity for trafficking cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, and more recently, fentanyl into the United States.

Under El Mencho’s leadership, the cartel was implicated in numerous homicides targeting rival groups and Mexican law enforcement, as well as alleged assassination attempts on Mexican government officials.

The Trump administration previously designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organisation.

Since 2017, El Mencho has faced multiple indictments in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, with the most recent superseding indictment on April 5 2022, charging him with conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances for unlawful importation into the U.S., and firearm use in drug trafficking.

He was also charged under the Drug Kingpin Statute for operating a continuing criminal enterprise.

If you’re just joining us, here’s our report on the killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho.”

The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was shot dead during a Mexican military operation Sunday, a federal official has confirmed, sparking a wave of retaliatory violence in the western Mexican state of Jalisco.

El Mencho was a highly sought-after figure, with the U.S. State Department previously offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.

A member of Oseguera's Jalisco New Generation Cartel has told Reuters that the blazes and sporadic gunfire in Mexico were carried out in revenge for his killing, and warned of further bloodshed as groups move to take control of his cartel.

The attacks were carried out in revenge for the leader’s death, at first against the government and out of discontent," the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"But later the internal killings are coming, by the groups moving in to take over."

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

One of Mexico's most notorious drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera, or “El Mencho,” was killed in a military raid Sunday, sparking widespread retaliatory violence.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes was killed in a military operation in the western state of Jalisco, officials said.

His corpse arrived in Mexico City yesterday afternoon in a heavily-guarded convoy of National Guard troops.