Mexican cartel boss killed after visit from girlfriend as carnage, violence grips cities

Mexico City: A visit from a romantic partner of infamous cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” led to his capture and death, Mexican authorities said in an assessment of Sunday’s operation, after which 25 members of the National Guard military police were killed in retaliatory violence.

Oseguera, Mexico’s most-wanted cartel leader, was the mastermind of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The US had offered a $US15 million ($21 million) reward for information leading to his arrest.

He died in a helicopter after being injured in a military operation by Mexican special forces in a wooded area outside the town of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco, according to Mexico’s Defence Ministry.

Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla said information from a confidante of one of Oseguera’s romantic partners helped officials quickly plan the raid for the following day at the crime boss’s compound.

During the raid, Oseguera’s gunmen opened fire on security forces, and the conflict moved to a cabin complex in a wooded area, where he was injured along with two of his bodyguards.

The three were transported by helicopter to Mexico City but did not survive.

“Unfortunately, they died on the way,” Trevilla said, speaking at the president’s daily press conference.

Authorities said they found rifles with grenade launchers, rocket launchers and mortar shells at the site. Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office said it was carrying out necessary proceedings across 14 states – nearly half of the country.

Violence surges

Oseguera’s death triggered violence across the country, as cartel loyalists blocked roads and burned cars in retaliation against the government.

Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch told reporters at the press conference that 30 cartel members were killed in these attacks, as well as one bystander. At least 70 people were arrested in seven states.

No foreigners were reported harmed, the government said in a statement.

According to the Defence Ministry, attacks in Jalisco were masterminded by Oseguera’s right-hand man and top financial chief known as “El Tuli”, who was also killed in a clash with security forces while they attempted to arrest him.

Garcia added that authorities were closely monitoring for a reaction or restructuring within the cartel that could unleash further violence. “There is already a specific surveillance of several leaders of this criminal organisation,” he said.

Officials said US intelligence was used to help pinpoint the exact location of the Tapalpa compound, but underscored that Mexico led the operation.

“There was no participation in this operation of US forces. What there was, was an exchange of information,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

Trump calls for greater efforts

Trevilla was moved to tears as he offered condolences to the relatives of Mexican security officers who died in the aftermath on Sunday, in which officials registered at least 85 roadblocks
across Mexico.

The flare-ups prompted several airlines, including American Airlines and Air Canada, to cancel flights on Sunday. On Monday, shares in Mexican airline Volaris and airport operators GAP and ASUR were down more than 4 per cent.

Sheinbaum said the situation was normalising and that her government’s priority was ensuring peace and security. Trump on Monday called on Mexico to boost its efforts targeting drug cartels, writing on social media: “Mexico must step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!”

Oseguera’s death deals a major blow to the CJNG cartel, believed to be a major supplier of fentanyl to the US.

While Washington has pushed Mexico for more action on drug trafficking, Mexican authorities have also long called on the US to do more to limit the illegal sales of firearms that bolster the vast arsenals of cartels that operate inside its territory.

According to American government data, some 70 per cent of illegal weapons traced in Mexico came from the US.

Reuters

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