White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States provided intelligence support to Mexican authorities during an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, that resulted in the death of Nemesio “El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

In a post on X, Leavitt described the cartel boss as a major target for both Washington and Mexico City, linking the operation to broader efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking into the United States.

“The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated," she wrote.

Leavitt added that Oseguera Cervantes “was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland."

She also noted that President Donald Trump had designated the CJNG a Foreign Terrorist Organisation last year, saying the move reflected the administration’s position “because that’s exactly what it is."

According to her statement, three additional cartel members were killed during the operation, three were wounded, and two others were arrested.

The White House also credited Mexican forces for carrying out the mission.

“The Trump Administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation," Leavitt mentioned, adding that the United States would continue pursuing “narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland."

Leavitt quoted a report by the Associated Press that provided further details about the operation and its aftermath across Mexico.

The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated.…https://t.co/iKxsAMmnLN— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec)February 23, 2026

Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News