From Avocado Seller to Most Dangerous Drug Lord: The Complete Life Story of "El Mencho"
The military operation carried out by Mexican authorities against one of the most dangerous drug lords in the country, Nemesio Oseguera (known by the nickname "El Mencho"), has sparked a wave of violence and unrest in many areas of Mexico.
On Sunday, federal forces killed "El Mencho" in a targeted operation in the Tapalpa area of Jalisco state, where gang members opened fire on Mexican forces during the operation, resulting in the deaths of several cartel members.
This was followed by acts of violence and road blockades in the city of Zapopan, prompting the governor of Jalisco state to instruct the 8 million residents to stay indoors until the situation is brought under control.
Many public transport services in the area were also suspended.
* Who is "El Mencho"?
Nemesio Oseguera, 59 years old, began his life under harsh conditions, growing up in the Mexican state of Michoacán, where he lived a very poor childhood and worked in avocado farming in his youth after dropping out of school.
In the late 1980s, he migrated to the United States, where he was arrested in San Francisco for drug trafficking in 1989 before being deported back to Mexico.
However, Oseguera did not stop there; he became involved in organized crime when he worked as a local police officer in Mexico before marrying the sister of one of the country’s top gang leaders, which increased his influence in the criminal world.
A few years later, he joined the "Milenio Cartel," but in 2009 he founded the "Jalisco New Generation Cartel" (CJNG), which quickly became one of the most powerful and dangerous drug cartels in Mexico and the world.
* Drug Trafficking and Military Tactics
The operations of the cartel led by "El Mencho" were characterized by complexity and danger, as he transported tons of cocaine from Colombia through Ecuador to the coasts of Mexico on the Pacific using speedboats and submarines.
He was also known for his quasi-military tactics, employing hundreds of trained armed men equipped with heavy weapons, sometimes including elements trained by special forces from Colombia.
Despite the cartel's strength and widespread presence in Mexico, "El Mencho" remained a mysterious and elusive figure, hiding in well-fortified mountain complexes.
The "Jalisco New Generation Cartel" is now considered one of the largest and most violent criminal organizations in Mexico, having succeeded in asserting control over drug trafficking networks, fuel smuggling, human trafficking, and other cross-border crimes.
* U.S. Cooperation and Warnings of Rising Violence
The death of "El Mencho" came at a sensitive time, as security cooperation between Mexico and the United States had reached its peak, as part of joint efforts to combat drug cartels.
The United States had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
This development raises many questions about the impact of the death of one of the leading drug cartel leaders on the security situation in Mexico, as some parties believe this could lead to an escalation of violence in the country in the coming period.
On the other hand, Washington warned that Mexico's inability to control drug cartels could lead it to take unilateral military action in the future, as the battle against drug trafficking in the region becomes increasingly complex.
