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Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense said that federal forces carried out a military operation in western Mexico aimed at detaining Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” an alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
In an official statement dated Feb. 22, the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional said the operation took place in the municipality of Tapalpa and involved Mexican Army special forces, aircraft from the Mexican Air Force, and personnel from the Guardia Nacional. Authorities said the operation was planned using military intelligence, information from Mexico’s National Intelligence Center, and federal prosecutors, as well as additional intelligence shared through bilateral cooperation with U.S. authorities.
According to the statement, military personnel came under attack during the operation and returned fire. Officials reported that four suspected members of the criminal group were killed at the scene and three others were severely wounded. The wounded suspects died while being transported by air to Mexico City, including Oseguera Cervantes, authorities said. Officials added that forensic procedures will be required to confirm identification.
Authorities said two additional alleged members of the organization were detained and that forces seized weapons and armored vehicles. Among the equipment recovered were rocket launchers described by officials as capable of downing aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.
Three members of the armed forces were wounded during the operation and were transported to medical facilities in Mexico City for treatment, the defense ministry said.
Federal authorities also announced the deployment of additional National Guard personnel and Army troops from central Mexico and neighboring states to reinforce security operations in Jalisco following the incident.
Mexican authorities have long sought Oseguera Cervantes on allegations including drug trafficking, organized crime involvement, and illegal firearms possession. Officials have described him as a principal coordinator of international drug trafficking operations attributed to the cartel. Under his leadership, authorities say, the organization expanded its territorial presence across multiple Mexican states and developed international criminal links.
Security agencies have previously reported that the organization maintains operations in several regions of Mexico and engages in the production and trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine. Mexican authorities have identified the group as one of the country’s most prominent criminal organizations in recent years.
Separately, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico said Sunday that Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara was operating normally despite security incidents reported in parts of Jalisco. The airport operator said there were no disruptions to flights or internal operations and that federal security personnel remained deployed at the facility. Officials said information circulating on social media about risks inside the terminal did not reflect conditions within airport facilities.
Passengers were advised to remain calm and maintain communication with their airlines regarding travel itineraries.
Authorities in Baja California also announced temporary preventive suspensions of certain public transportation and cargo services following incidents on some highway segments. Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda said the state security council was in permanent session to monitor developments and coordinate response measures.
The defense ministry said the operation reflects ongoing federal efforts to strengthen public security in Mexico.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico reported road blockages and criminal activity in Tecate, Ensenada, and Tijuana, instructing U.S. Consulate personnel to shelter in place and urging citizens to monitor local news, inform family of their whereabouts, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates.
