Cartel members have wreaked havoc across multiple cities in the region.
The Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) reported that Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka “El Mencho,” was killed in a military raid over the weekend, apparently in coordination with the United States. The U.S. State Department had offered a $15 million reward for Oseguera Cervantes, who was one of the founders and the current leader of his cartel. He was the most wanted and dangerous fugitive in Mexico.
“CJNG was formed in 2009 and has grown into one of the most violent drug cartels in Mexico. It has been assessed to have the highest cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking capacity in Mexico, and over the past few years, includes the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States,” the State Department explained. “Under Oseguera Cervantes’ leadership, CJNG has been responsible for many homicides against rival trafficking groups and Mexican law enforcement officers. More recently, CJNG operatives, allegedly under Oseguera Cervantes’ direction, were involved in assassination attempts of Mexican government officials.”
After El Mencho’s death, cartel members have gone on a rampage across the five Mexican states. The widespread violence includes random shootings and burning vehicles and other property. Cartel members have also set up roadblocks in several areas. Guadalajara International Airport was closed due to cartel members storming the premises. Puerto Vallarta Airport has also been closed.
The State Department warned U.S. citizens to shelter in place “due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity.” The warning includes the Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (including Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the safety of U.S. and Mexican citizens, and other tourists, who are currently in the five Mexican states experiencing violence and chaos.
- For the authorities in Mexico as they seek to regain control of the region being terrorized by cartel members.
- For U.S. officials as they coordinate with Mexican leaders on next steps in addressing narcoterrorism.
Sources: Department of State, Townhall, US News and World Report, PJ Media,
