A romantic partner of Nemesio Oseguera, the influential head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, who was killed during a confrontation with Mexican armed forces, played a significant role in tracking his location in Tapalpa, a scenic village known for its vacation properties in western Mexico.
The 59-year-old Oseguera, widely known as “El Mencho,” sustained injuries during a firefight with soldiers on Sunday and died while being transported by air to a hospital.
The mission was set in motion after Mexican military intelligence officials, working with support from the United States Northern Command, obtained information that the woman intended to meet the cartel leader in Tapalpa, located about 130 kilometers from Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state.
Mexico’s Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla told journalists during a press briefing on Monday that the woman, described as “one of the romantic partners of ‘El Mencho,’” had been escorted to a residence in Tapalpa by a trusted associate.
According to Trevilla, she met Oseguera on Saturday and later departed, leaving him at the property accompanied by his security personnel.
The National Guard’s Special Immediate Reaction Force designed the strategy for Sunday’s raid, incorporating both ground and aerial tactics.
Trevilla explained that troops approached the vicinity without officially entering Jalisco in order to preserve operational secrecy and maintain the advantage of surprise.
After confirming Oseguera’s presence at the site — where he was wanted on charges including organized crime and illegal weapons possession — authorities opted to storm the ranch.
– ‘Pretty violent’ –
“Honestly, it was a pretty violent attack,” Trevilla said, noting that Oseguera was detained while armed with a cache that included assault-style firearms and two rocket launchers.
His security detail, known for confronting state security forces, had previously deployed similar heavy weaponry.
In 2015, members of the group brought down a military helicopter, enabling the cartel leader to avoid capture at the time.
However, events unfolded differently on Sunday. As they attempted to escape, Oseguera and his close protection team sought refuge in a wooded area near a cabin complex.
Military personnel surrounded him once more and ultimately located him concealed in thick vegetation, Trevilla said.
During the exchange, one of the gunmen struck a military helicopter, forcing it to execute an emergency landing at a nearby base.
Amid the firefight, Oseguera and two of his bodyguards were wounded.
All three were placed aboard an aircraft bound for a hospital in Guadalajara but died before reaching medical care, according to Trevilla.
Their remains were subsequently flown to Mexico City and transferred to the General Prosecutor’s Office.
Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch stated that Oseguera’s body would be released to his relatives.
Details regarding burial arrangements have not yet been disclosed.
Authorities also confirmed the death of his alleged second-in-command.
Hugo H., known by the alias “El Tuli,” was located in El Grullo, another municipality in Jalisco, from where he reportedly coordinated road closures, vehicle burnings, and retaliatory actions against military facilities following news of his leader’s death.
“He was offering 20,000 pesos ($1,150) for every soldier who was killed,” Trevilla said.
Like Oseguera, “El Tuli” died Sunday while attempting to flee. Officials said he was carrying an assault rifle, a handgun, and cash equivalent to nearly $1.4 million at the time of his death.
Oseguera’s death triggered widespread unrest across 20 of Mexico’s 32 states, with hundreds of roadblocks established and numerous vehicles set ablaze.
By Monday, relative calm had been restored in much of the country.
The federal government deployed approximately 10,000 troops as a deterrent measure.
Nonetheless, roadblocks persisted in certain areas of Jalisco and neighboring Michoacan state.
What You Should Know
Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” died after being wounded in a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, following intelligence linked to a romantic associate.
Authorities say heavy weapons were recovered, his close ally “El Tuli” was also killed, and the aftermath sparked widespread violence across multiple Mexican states before security forces moved to restore order.
