The killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes — the elusive drug lord known as"El Mencho"— has set off a wave of retaliatory violence across western Mexico, prompting shelter-in-place warnings for American tourists and stirring fresh speculation about Washington's role in the operation. President Donald Trump fueled that speculation over the weekend with a cryptic message on Truth Social: "We're Winning too much, it's just not fair! President DJT."
Oseguera, 60, was the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful criminal groups. Mexico's Defense Ministry said he was wounded during a special forces raid in the Pacific coastal town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, and died while being airlifted to Mexico City for treatment. His body was flown to the capital Sunday afternoon and transferred under heavy security, escorted by National Guard troops.
In Washington, Mexico's embassyrejected suggestionsof direct American involvement in the raid, calling such allegations "false." The operation, it said, was planned and executed by Mexican special forces, with US agencies providing only "complementary intelligence" under existing bilateral cooperation frameworks.
Later, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the United States had provided intelligence support. She wrote that the Trump administration "commends, and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation." "President Trump has been very clear — the United States will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved," she added.
The raid ranks among Mexico's most consequential blows against transnational narcotics networks that funnel billions of dollars' worth of drugs — particularly fentanyl — into the United States. In recent years, Mexican authorities have also captured leaders of the rival Sinaloa Cartel, including Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, both now imprisoned in the United States.
However, soon after the killing of the cartel boss, his gunmen torched vehicles, blocked highways and set businesses ablaze across at least six states, temporarily paralyzing major transport corridors. Authorities said no civilian fatalities had been confirmed, and daily life continued largely as normal in most of the country, though precautionary school closures were announced in several states.
In the resort hub of Puerto Vallarta, tourists described scenes resembling a "war zone," as plumes of smoke rose over the coastline. Major carriers, including Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines, suspended flights to the area amid security concerns.
Leslie Devaney, a San Diego attorney vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, told NBC she witnessed violence erupt outside her lodging. "Interesting last full day in Puerto Vallarta today before heading home tomorrow," she wrote on Facebook. "Got to lobby of our building this morning as we witnessed men dressed in black with masks igniting cars on the street and then gunfire and blasts all around the area. We hurried back to our rooms to shelter as advised by staff."
In a message, Devaney said it appeared the cartel was demonstrating a show of power to federal officials across the state. "Streets were abandoned and no apparent attempt to harm tourists," she said. "We are confined to our rooms for today."
She added that she was "not concerned for safety from what I hear," though uncertain whether she would depart as planned. "Don't know if I'll make it out as planned tomorrow, but flight still says going."
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
