Portrait of a drug lord: ‘El Mencho’, Mexico's most feared cartel kingpin
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 23, 2026
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Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," was the feared leader of Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country's most powerful criminal organizations. Over decades, he expanded CJNG's operations across multiple states and international markets, solidifying his reputation as a central figure in Mexico’s narcotics trade. Known for his brutal tactics and defiance against both Mexican and U.S. authorities, Oseguera was the last major drug lord to operate in the flashy, violent style of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. His death at the hands of the Mexican army on Sunday marked a significant blow to the CJNG's operations.
Born in Aguililla, Michoacán, Oseguera began his criminal career in the United States, where he was arrested and deported for heroin trafficking. Returning to Mexico, he joined the Milenio cartel before moving to Jalisco after internal conflicts forced him out of Michoacán. There, he founded the CJNG and later formed the "Matazetas" (Zeta Killers) to target Los Zetas, a rival group allied with Sinaloa cartel leaders. Oseguera's violent nature was evident in his attacks on law enforcement, including an ambush of national g
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/23/2026