US Intelligence Helped Mexico in Raid That Killed ‘El Mencho,’ White House Confirms

The White House confirmed that the United States aided the Mexican government’s operation to kill cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday.

“The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio Ruben ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in an X post on Sunday evening.

Leavitt’s comment came after anonymous defense officials told media outlets that an interagency U.S. task force had a role in the Mexican military’s operation against Oseguera Cervantes, the former head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), who was considered among the most notorious cartel leaders.

Leavitt also confirmed that three more members of the cartel were killed, three were injured, and two were arrested in the operation.

“The Trump Administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation,” she said, adding that President Donald Trump wants “narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland” to “face the wrath of justice they have long deserved.”

The Department of State had placed a $15 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Oseguera Cervantes, noting that he was one of the founders of CJNG in 2009. The cartel has grown into one of the most violent drug organizations in Mexico, the department said, noting that it was involved in the recent assassination attempts of government officials and in the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States.

The U.S. Embassy said on X that its personnel in multiple cities and states in Mexico would shelter in place and work remotely on Monday, and it warned U.S. citizens in many parts of the country to do the same.

“Although no airports have been closed, road blockages have impacted airline operations, and the majority of domestic and international flights have been canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta,” the embassy said. “All transportation services in Puerto Vallarta have been suspended. Some businesses have suspended operations.”

On Monday, Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said that 25 members of the National Guard were killed in Jalisco state in six separate attacks after Oseguera Cervantes’s death. Photos and videos captured by The Associated Press and other media outlets showed burnt vehicles and buildings at shopping centers, major roads, and tourist resort areas.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm on Monday, and authorities said all of the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared. The president was expected to address the situation at her daily news briefing on Monday morning.

Since taking office last year, Trump has demanded that Mexico do more to fight the smuggling of the often-deadly drug fentanyl, warning he would impose more tariffs or take unilateral military action if the country does not produce results.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised Mexico on X for its operation, describing it as a “great development” for the country.

“The good guys are stronger than the bad guys,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.