White House confirms US intelligence role in operation killing Mexican cartel leader 'El Mencho'

2026-02-23 - 07:32

The White House officially acknowledged Sunday that the United States provided intelligence support to Mexican authorities in the operation that resulted in the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed on social media that US intelligence assisted the Mexican government in the Tapalpa, Jalisco operation targeting the infamous drug lord. Target Significance and Operational Results Leavitt emphasized that El Mencho was a "top target" for both Mexico and the United States as one of the primary traffickers of fentanyl into America. President Donald Trump designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization last year, reflecting the administration's prioritization of combating the cartel's influence. The operation resulted in the elimination of El Mencho, with three additional cartel members killed, three wounded, and two arrested, according to Leavitt's statement. Bilateral Cooperation The confirmation of US intelligence involvement underscores the deepening security cooperation between Washington and Mexico City in targeting major drug trafficking organizations. The collaborative operation represents a significant blow to CJNG, considered one of Mexico's most powerful and violent criminal enterprises, while highlighting the shared commitment to disrupting fentanyl trafficking networks affecting both nations.