The killing of powerful cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera by Mexican forces triggered widespread retaliatory violence, prompting travel warnings and flight cancellations.
GUADALAJARA: The Mexican army has killed powerful drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera in a major operation that sparked a wave of retaliatory violence across several states.
Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City.
The raid, conducted with “complementary information” from US authorities, also resulted in the deaths of six suspected cartel gunmen and left three soldiers wounded.
Two other suspects were arrested and a cache of weapons was seized, including rocket launchers capable of destroying armoured vehicles.
In response, gunmen blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state with burning vehicles, spreading violence to neighbouring Michoacan and the resort city of Puerto Vallarta.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens to remain calm as the central government coordinated with state authorities.
The streets of Guadalajara were left almost empty as businesses shut down, with one gas station worker describing how armed men ordered everyone out before setting the premises alight.
Jalisco state, scheduled to host four World Cup games this summer, cancelled all large crowd events and in-person classes for Monday.
The United States and Canada issued travel warnings for parts of Mexico, urging their citizens to shelter in place due to the violence.
US and Canadian airlines subsequently cancelled dozens of flights to the country.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed the operation, calling Oseguera “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”
Oseguera, who had a US$15 million US bounty on his head, led one of Mexico’s most violent trafficking organisations, according to the US Justice Department.
His cartel is classified as a terrorist organisation by the US and is accused of smuggling cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl across the border.
The raid comes amid sustained pressure from US President Donald Trump for Mexico to stem the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
The Sun Malaysia
