Leader of Mexico’s most wanted cartel was killed after a visit from his romantic partner

A visit by a romantic partner of notorious cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El ⁠Mencho,” led to his capture and death, Mexican authorities said in an assessment of the operation carried out on Sunday, after which 25 members of the National Guard’s 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 offered a reward of US$15 million 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 on the outskirts of the city of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco, according to Mexico’s Defense Ministry.

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Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla said information from a confidant of one of Oseguera’s romantic partners helped authorities quickly plan the next day’s operation at the crime boss’s compound.

During the operation, Oseguera’s gunmen opened fire on security forces and the conflict moved to a complex of huts 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 along the way,” Trevilla said, speaking at the president’s daily press conference.

Authorities said they found rifles with grenade launchers, rocket launchers and mortar grenades at the scene.

Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office said it was carrying out the necessary procedures in 14 states — almost half the country.

Wave of retaliatory violence across Mexico

Oseguera’s death triggered violence across Mexico, with cartel members blocking roads and burning cars in retaliation against the government.

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

No foreigners were injured, the government said in a statement.

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

The cartel operator offered a reward of 20,000 pesos ($1,160) for the deaths of soldiers, according to Trevilla.

García added that authorities were closely monitoring any reaction or restructuring within the cartel that could spark more violence. “There is already specific surveillance of several leaders of this criminal organization,” he said.

Officials said U.S. intelligence was used to help locate the exact location of the Tapalpa complex, but stressed the operation was Mexican.

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

Trump calls for more efforts

Trevilla was emotional as he offered condolences to the families of Mexican security agents who died on Sunday, as authorities recorded at least 85 roadblocks throughout Mexico.

The disturbances led airlines to cancel flights on Sunday. The airline Aeromexico said on Monday it was gradually resuming flights.

Kimberley Sperrfechter, emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, ⁠said the immediate impact would hurt tourism, but if the unrest were to prolong, it could also put electronics and semiconductor manufacturing in the state of Jalisco at risk.

In addition to electronics manufacturing, the State of Jalisco is also an agricultural center for products such as eggs, berries and avocados, as well as being the birthplace and one of the main producers of tequila.

“In addition to the macroeconomic implications, the assassination shows that Mexico’s government is doing its best to appease the Trump administration ahead of this year’s USMCA review,” she added, referring to the free trade pact between the US, Canada and Mexico.

But on Monday morning, ⁠US President Donald Trump called on Mexico to step up its efforts against drug cartels. “Mexico must intensify its efforts against cartels and drugs!” he wrote ⁠in a social media post.

Oseguera’s death is a serious blow to the CJNG cartel, considered one of the main suppliers of fentanyl to the US.

While the U.S. has pressed Mexico to take more action against drug trafficking, Mexican officials have also long called on the U.S. to do more to limit the illegal sale of firearms that fuel the vast and deadly arsenals of cartels operating in its territory.

According to US government data, around 70% of illegal weapons tracked in Mexico came from the US.