Most Wanted Cartel Boss El Mencho Killed, Wave Of Violence Sweeps Across Mexico

Mexico: Namesake Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, aka 'El Mencho,' is one of the world's most dangerous drug lords. He was the boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which over the last 10 years became Mexico's most powerful criminal syndicate. This person, who was sending huge consignments of cocaine, meth and fentanyl to America, was absconding for years. America had kept a reward of 15 million dollars for his arrest.

Who was El Mencho and how did he die?

On Sunday, Mexico's Defense Ministry made a big announcement that El Mencho was surrounded in a Special Forces operation in Jalisco state. An encounter took place in the Tapalpa area, where he was badly injured. He died while being taken by helicopter to Mexico City. Many more CJNG members were killed, and some weapons and armored vehicles were also seized. The help of American Intelligence was also taken in the operation.

What happened after death? 

As soon as the news of El Mencho's death spread, CJNG goons started taking revenge. Violence broke out in more than half a dozen states including Jalisco. Highways were blocked, dozens of vehicles were burnt, gunmen blocked the roads. Smoke was seen rising in Puerto Vallarta, burning vehicles remained lying on the streets in Guadalajara. People were seen running at the airport. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus appealed to people to stay home.

How did the government and the President react?

President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on Twitter that the federal government is in full coordination with state governments. He asked people to remain calm. Praised the security forces and said that the situation is under control in most places in the country, but operations are going on where needed.

Why did America call it a big success?

The Trump administration has pressured Mexico to stop drug trafficking—even threatening direct intervention. CJNG was declared a Foreign Terrorist Organization last year. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called it a "huge success for the US, Mexico and all of Latin America".

The US State Department advised US citizens to shelter in place in states like Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon. Canada also asked its citizens to keep a low profile in Puerto Vallarta.

How did CJNG become so dangerous?

Under El Mencho's leadership, the CJNG grew from a small group to a transnational network. Heavy weapons, military style convoys, intimidation by showing violence in public – all this was his strategy. It may be a less global name than the Sinaloa Cartel (the one with El Chapo), but the CJNG is notorious for brutal tactics and rapid territorial gains in Mexico.

Now the question is, will CJNG disintegrate due to El Mencho's death or will it become more uncontrollable? This seems to be a big turning point in the drug war in Mexico, but smoke is still rising on the streets. It remains to be seen how soon the situation will become normal.