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IN PHOTOS: Mexico kills drug kingpin El Mencho, violence erupts

Updated On: 23 February, 2026 11:46 AM IST | Tarun Verma

Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, alleged head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), triggering a surge of violence across several states. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed he had been informed of the operation, calling it a major development in the fight against crime (Pics/AFP)

Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, alleged head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), triggering a surge of violence across several states. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed he had been informed of the operation, calling it a major development in the fight against crime (Pics/AFP)

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Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, alleged head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), triggering a surge of violence across several states. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed he had been informed of the operation, calling it a major development in the fight against crime (Pics/AFP)
<p>Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio &ldquo;El Mencho&rdquo; Oseguera Cervantes, one of the country&rsquo;s most powerful drug kingpins, triggering violent reprisals across several states and prompting fresh advisories for US citizens</p>

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Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, one of the country’s most powerful drug kingpins, triggering violent reprisals across several states and prompting fresh advisories for US citizens

<p>US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said he had been informed that Mexican forces had killed &ldquo;El Mencho,&rdquo; describing him as &ldquo;one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins&rdquo;</p>

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US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said he had been informed that Mexican forces had killed “El Mencho,” describing him as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins”

<p>According to reporting in The Wall Street Journal, Mexico&rsquo;s military killed Oseguera in an operation that marked one of the most significant blows yet to organised crime</p>

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According to reporting in The Wall Street Journal, Mexico’s military killed Oseguera in an operation that marked one of the most significant blows yet to organised crime

<p>The Washington Post reported that the cartel leader&rsquo;s death &ldquo;set off a wave of violence in areas controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel,&rdquo; including burning cars and road blockages in Guadalajara and other cities</p>

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The Washington Post reported that the cartel leader’s death “set off a wave of violence in areas controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel,” including burning cars and road blockages in Guadalajara and other cities

<p>The New York Post described Puerto Vallarta as being &ldquo;under siege&rdquo; after the army killed the cartel leader, as gunmen blocked highways and set vehicles ablaze</p>

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The New York Post described Puerto Vallarta as being “under siege” after the army killed the cartel leader, as gunmen blocked highways and set vehicles ablaze

<p>Mexico&rsquo;s operation comes amid sustained pressure from Washington to curb drug trafficking</p>

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Mexico’s operation comes amid sustained pressure from Washington to curb drug trafficking

<p>People observe the remains of a trailer set on fire allegedly by members of organized crime during clashes with government forces in Purisima del Rincon, Guanajuato state, Mexico</p>

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People observe the remains of a trailer set on fire allegedly by members of organized crime during clashes with government forces in Purisima del Rincon, Guanajuato state, Mexico

<p>Tourists leave the port area after boat services were cancelled in Acapulco</p>

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Tourists leave the port area after boat services were cancelled in Acapulco

<p>Residents look at a convenience store allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest Nemesio Oseguera.</p>

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Residents look at a convenience store allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest Nemesio Oseguera.

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