Latin American Drug Trafficking

Cartel leader exposed by lovers – many dead

The information that led to the arrest and killing of Mexican cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” came from a person with whom he had a romantic relationship, Mexican Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla said, according to Reuters.

“El Mencho” was Mexico’s most wanted cartel leader and anyone who provided information leading to his capture could be rewarded with $15 million.

The raid, which took place in the state of Jalisco on Sunday morning, was followed by more violence as cartel members attempted to carry out revenge attacks. Twenty-five members of the National Guard were killed in six separate attacks after the arrest, Security Minister García Harfuch said, according to the AP.

A prison guard, a prosecutor’s office employee and an unidentified woman were also killed, along with about 30 suspected criminals.

Analysis: “El Mencho” Death Will Please Trump – But He Demands More From Mexico

Despite the fact that cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho”, has been killed by the Mexican military, there is much evidence that his criminal gang CJNG will continue to operate, writes Maria Abi-Habib in the New York Times.

The Mexican government has a lot to do, considering that it is also trying to crack down on CJNG’s rivals in the Sinaloa cartel.

TV4 Nyheter’s Bosse Lindwall agrees that “El Mencho”’s death is hardly a death blow for CJNG. However, President Claudia Sheinbaum will now be able to tell Donald Trump that she is taking the fight against the cartels seriously, he believes.

Oscar Lopez at The Guardian is on the same track in his analysis. He has spoken to Mexico expert Tony Payan, who believes that Trump is probably pleased that “El Mencho” is now gone.

Meanwhile, the US pressure on Mexico will continue, according to Lopez. On Monday, the president wrote on X that Mexico must do even more in the fight against the cartels.

“The killing of El Mencho sheds light on [...] the challenges Claudia Sheinbaum will face in trying to appease her American counterpart,” he writes.