Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho,” Mexico’s most wanted cartel boss, was pronounced dead as of Feb. 22. Cervantes formed part of the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG), most commonly feared due to the ruthlessness, ambition, and brutality they possessed. But how was one of the most powerful and feared people brought down?
It has been reported by Mexican and U.S. authorities, that his take down involved U.S. intelligence–overall, cooperation from both sides of the border. On Feb. 20, Mexican authorities began surrounding Tapalpa, where el Mencho was believed to be. By Feb. 22, special forces including the National Guard, helicopters, and military surrounded off an area, where el Cervantes was reported to be. Cartel gunmen began to fire at soldiers, soldiers returning it back. El Mencho and some of his members ran to a nearby cabinet and soon, Cervantes was wounded. Authorities airlifted El Mencho to a medical facility, but died during the flight.
El Mencho’s end served beneficial to the Mexican Military, as a powerful cartel leader was removed–which in theory, would weaken the cartel he ran, bringing peace to the people of Mexico. Or so, what was thought among many. After the Mexican military’s operation against Cervantes, El Mencho’s men went ruthless. “El Tuli,” known as El Mencho’s right-hand man, was identified by the defense ministry to be the primary organizer of the attacks that began in Jalisco. El Grullo was later tracked down, where he was killed as he attempted to flee. This only made the fire stronger. Most things, including roads, stores, airports, or any Mexican government affiliated place was a target. The violence extended over eight states, including Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Mexico City, and Jalisco itself. Fire was seen everywhere, tourists or travelers in a struggle, and the citizens of Mexico in a panic. At one point, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico urged citizens to remain sheltered. Tourists could not, as flights were blocked or delayed to keep a sense of safety. For instance, American Yoni Pizer who lives in Mexico City of Puerto Vallarta recounted the following story to CNN:
“A young man came running with a gun pointed at our windshield to us, screaming in Spanish: Get out of the car! Get out of the car!… Then they just started grabbing people as more traffic started coming toward the intersection. Some people were able to squeal and make u-turns and head away. Others were caught,
and were dragged out of their cars… And there were cars were moved also to block the road. As we turned around, there was columns of black smoke, not just from the street we were on, but to the left, to the right, and all behind us.’”
In reality no one was safe. The story of Pizer could have easily turned into a deathly one. This was surely not the only story, but one of many brutal ones. But the killing of Cervantes not only impacted Mexico itself, or its people, but other Latin American countries, including Ecuador and Colombia. This created a Domino effect as they too formed part of Cervantes cocaine production, transit, and export network. Is it possible that violence could break out in these countries too?
The President of Mexico has stated that “virtually all activity had been restored”, but some services continue to be scheduled in the hopes of continuing to keep people safe. It has now been a couple of weeks since the killing of El Mencho, but it served a critical point in history by the claims of many– El Mencho was essential to the cartel, without him, things could go in any direction.
