73 people died in attempt to capture Mexican cartel leader and its violent aftermath: officials

The country on Monday feared another wave of violence after ‘El Mencho’ was killed following a shoot-out in his home state of Jalisco

At least 73 people died in Mexico’s attempt to capture the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the violent aftermath of his death, authorities said on Monday as much of the country feared another wave of violence.

The body count taken by security officials included security forces, suspected cartel members and others. Officials did not offer details and the circumstances of most of the deaths were unclear.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or “El Mencho”, was the boss of one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States and staging brazen attacks against Mexican government officials. The organisation responded to his death with widespread violence, including blocking roads and setting fire to cars.

Oseguera Cervantes died after a shoot-out in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military tried to capture him. Mexican Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said on Monday that authorities had followed one of Oseguera Cervantes’ romantic partners to his hideout in Tapalpa.

The cartel leader and two bodyguards fled into a wooded area where they were seriously wounded in a firefight. They were taken into custody and died on the way to Mexico City, Trevilla said.

In a different location in Jalisco, soldiers also killed another high-ranking cartel member who Trevilla said was coordinating violence and offering more than US$1,000 for every soldier killed.

Source: News - South China Morning Post