Mexico’s recent operation targeting Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” leader of a prominent criminal organization, unfolded like a Hollywood script. Special forces, after tracking El Mencho’s lover, engaged in a dramatic air and land operation resulting in his mortal injury and eventual death aboard a military helicopter. General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo disclosed these details during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s news conference, leaving unanswered the question of why the Mexican government chose this moment to dismantle the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Experts suggest multiple factors influenced the decision, including a strategic opportunity and pressure from the U.S., which provided crucial intelligence. El Mencho, the last major fugitive drug lord, led a powerful criminal group that was a significant fentanyl exporter to the U.S. His declining health, requiring regular dialysis, also factored into the operation.
The CJNG, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Canada, not only dominates the drug trade but also extorts agricultural sectors like avocado and lime growers. The move to weaken the CJNG ahead of the upcoming World Cup could contribute to maintaining peace, marking a significant success for President Sheinbaum. By eliminating El Mencho, she gains leverage in resisting U.S. military intervention against Mexican cartels, emphasizing Mexico’s sovereignty in handling domestic security matters.
The operation defied expectations as previous governments hesitated to act against El Mencho, fearing retaliatory violence, as observed in the aftermath with widespread blockades and disturbances across the country. While the situation in Jalisco remains tense, efforts to restore order include deploying troops and reopening essential services.
The CJNG’s power vacuum following El Mencho’s demise may trigger internal conflicts and embolden rival cartels, potentially escalating violence in regions like Sinaloa and Michoacán. Sheinbaum’s administration faces a complex security landscape, navigating intricate power dynamics within and between criminal organizations while striving to stabilize volatile regions like Michoacán, a key avocado-producing area.
As Mexico navigates these challenges, the outcome of El Mencho’s demise underscores the intricate and high-stakes nature of combating organized crime in the country.