Mexican officials announced on Sunday that the infamous cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera has been killed. Oseguera, also known as El Mencho, died in a military raid as Mexico ramped up its effort to crack down on cartels, Reuters reported. Oseguera sustained serious injuries during the attack in the western state of Jalisco, and he died while being transferred to Mexico City by air. According to Reuters, Mexico ramped up its effort against drug cartels after Donald Trump pressured the country to address the issue.
“The operation for his arrest was led by the Defense Ministry, and he ended up being killed,” a government source familiar with the operation told Reuters.
Who was Nemesio Oseguera?
Oseguera, a former police officer, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Under Oseguera’s leadership, CJNG became one of the biggest international criminal enterprise groups in the world.
The 59-year-old drug lord was accused of smuggling massive amounts of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine across the Mexican border, The Guardian reported. The U.S. was offering a $15 million reward for Oseguera’s capture.
According to The Guardian, Oseguera died alongside several members of his cartel on Sunday. Four cartel members died at the scene of the attack. Oseguera and two others died while they were being transferred to Mexico City.
What’s going on in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and beyond?
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has issued a warning to American citizens in Jalisco State as the region is seeing a violent outbreak following Oseguera’s death. According to SFGate, American citizens are advised to take shelter if they are currently staying in the Jalisco State regions of Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara. Tamaulipas State, Guerrero State and Nuevo León State are also considered to be among the dangerous areas at the moment.
Videos circulating online showed burning cars blocking some of the roads in Jalisco. Cartels commonly use this tactic to stop military operations, SFGate reported.
“Criminal groups have set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in several cities in Jalisco State, including in Puerto Vallarta,” Global Affairs Canada said in a statement. “There have been shootouts with security forces and explosions. A shelter-in-place order is in effect in Puerto Vallarta. All taxi and rideshare services are suspended until further notice.”
Air Canada also announced on Sunday that all operations in Puerto Vallarta are canceled due to the “ongoing security situation.” Airlines are advising customers to check with their airports before preparing to fly.
The post What’s Happening In Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco And More As El Mencho, Mexican Cartel Leader, Has Been Killed? appeared first on Blavity.
