Who are Mexico’s top cartel bosses killed or arrested in recent years?
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The death of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of Mexico's powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, has sparked widespread violence across the country. His demise marks the latest in a series of significant blows to Mexican drug cartels, following recent high-profile arrests and killings. These actions highlight the ongoing efforts by Mexican authorities to dismantle organized crime networks that have long plagued the nation.
In recent years, several key figures in Mexico's drug trade have been taken down. Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a senior figure in the Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested in July 2024, along with his son and partner Joaquin Guzman. This followed the capture of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, another son of the infamous El Chapo, who was detained in January 2023 after a previous release to avoid cartel retaliation. These arrests underscore the government's targeted approach against top cartel leaders.
The fight against cartels extends back decades. Since the mid-2000s, Mexico has seen
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026