Mexico’s army has killed the country’s most dangerous drug lord, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes alias El Mencho. He was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which is notorious for smuggling fentanyl and other drugs into the US. The operation took place on February 22, 2026, near Tapalpa, a mountainous area in Jalisco state, where American intelligence and surveillance of El Mencho’s girlfriend revealed his whereabouts.

Agencies caught Mencho after following his girlfriend

Mexico’s Defense Minister General Ricardo Trevila told the complete details of the operation in a press conference on 23 February 2026. Trevila said Mexican military intelligence had begun surveillance of a close associate of El Mencho’s girlfriend. On February 20, 2026, this associate took the woman to a rural compound in Tapalpa, where El Mencho had come to meet.

The woman spent the night with El Mencho and left on February 21, but El Mencho and his bodyguards remained. The whereabouts were revealed through additional information received from American Intelligence. The next day Mexican forces surrounded the compound. The cartel’s gunmen started firing and ran towards the jungle with El Mencho. El Mencho was seriously injured in the clash. He was being taken to a medical facility by helicopter, but he died on the way. Two bodyguards were also killed. “Unfortunately, he died on the way,” Trevilla said.

Mencho was in the most wanted list of America-Mexico

This operation was completely carried out by Mexican forces. President Claudia Sheinbaum made it clear that American soldiers were not involved, only intelligence help was provided. El Mencho was on the most wanted lists of both the countries for a long time. America had offered a reward of 15 million dollars for his arrest. CJNG is considered to be Mexico’s most powerful and violent cartel, which plays a major role in the fentanyl supply chain.

Uproar in Mexico after El Mencho’s death

After El Mencho’s death, the CJNG tried to take revenge. Within hours, cartel goons set up road blocks, burned vehicles, attacked businesses and fired on security forces in Jalisco and other areas. At least 25 National Guard members were killed in Jalisco, while more than 30 suspected cartel members were also killed. Dozens of arrests were made in many states.

El Mencho’s alleged financial chief, El Tuli. Was killed in a separate clash. President Sheinbaum said, ‘The most important thing is to ensure peace and security for the people of Mexico. Today the situation is more calm.

This incident is considered a major turning point in Mexico’s drug war. Violence may increase due to the disintegration of CJNG or the emergence of a new leader, but the government claims that the security forces are keeping the situation under control. El Mencho’s death may also strengthen US-Mexico drug control cooperation.

After the death of Mexico’s most dangerous drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes alias ‘El Mencho’, now everyone’s eyes are on his property and family. Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader El Mencho was killed in a Mexican army operation on Sunday. After his death, violence spread in the country, but now questions are being raised that how much wealth did he earn from drug smuggling for so many years and where is his family now?

How rich was El Mencho?

El Mencho’s exact wealth could not be known because it was all acquired illegally. But the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) had estimated in 2019 that his wealth could be at least more than $ 500 million i.e. about Rs 4,200 crore and it could even cross $ 1 billion (about Rs 8,400 crore). DEA agent Kyle Mori had said, ‘I would say they have at least $500 million and it could be more than $1 billion.’

CJNG’s total business and assets are divided into several tens of billions of dollars. According to the Mexican government, the total assets of the cartel are around $50 billion, which were hidden through real estate, business and money laundering. After El Mencho’s death, all this wealth is now likely to be confiscated or divided among the family, but this will not be easy due to the complex structure of the cartel.

Who is Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia, El Mencho’s wife?

Rosalinda González Valencia was also known as ‘La Jefa’. She was associated with ‘Los Quinis’, the financial arm of CJNG. His family handled the financial affairs of the cartel. The two were married in 1996, but were legally separated in 2018.

Rosalinda was accused of money laundering. He was arrested in 2018, but released due to lack of evidence. Later in 2023, he was sentenced to 5 years, but due to good behavior he was released early in January 2025. She was out of jail at the time of El Mencho’s death and there is currently no new information about her location. She might be hiding in the Jalisco area.

What will happen to El Mencho’s children?

El Mencho and Rosalinda have three children:

• Rubén Oseguera González (El Menchito): The son, who was the father’s second-in-command, was extradited to the US in 2020. Convicted on drug trafficking and weapons charges in 2024 and sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2025. Now he is in America’s jail, so there is no possibility of him taking command of CJNG.
• Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez (“La Negra”): Daughter, who managed some of her father’s businesses (sushi restaurant and tequila brand). She was arrested in America in 2021 and sentenced to 30 months, but was released in April 2022. He has also had cartel related activities.
• Laisha Oseguera: The youngest daughter is also suspected of being connected to the cartel. In 2021, he was declared wanted in a kidnapping case along with his partner Christian Fernando Gutiérrez Ochoa, which is believed to be revenge for Rosalinda’s arrest.

Some reports also mention a stepson from Rosalinda’s previous relationship, Juan Carlos Valencia González (‘El Pelón’ or ‘El R3’), who plays a key role in the cartel and the US has offered a $5 million reward for his arrest. He is considered a strong contender to become the successor.

Now what after the death of El Mencho?

The question of command in CJNG has arisen due to the death of El Mencho. One of his children or stepson may become the new leader, but for now the violence continues. Both America and Mexico have called this operation a great success. El Mencho’s wealth could now be seized or handed over to a new leader, but the cartel’s roots are so deep that it won’t be easy.