Mexican Leader Clarifies US Involvement in Cartel Leader’s Death

(MENAFN) Claudia Sheinbaum stated Monday that US forces were not directly involved in the operation that killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Sheinbaum explained that US authorities provided intelligence support only, while Mexican federal forces planned and executed the operation independently.

The cartel leader was killed on Sunday in the wooded highlands of Tapalpa, Jalisco. Sheinbaum emphasized that the months preceding the operation involved careful planning by Mexico’s security and intelligence services, with the US contributing additional information.

“All operations were carried out by federal forces. There was no participation by United States forces in the operation. What exists is extensive information sharing,” she said.

Mexican authorities noted that US Northern Command and INTERPOL contributed intelligence to assist in locating Oseguera, but no foreign troops took part in the operation. Mexico’s Secretary of National Defense, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, said that officials confirmed Oseguera’s location through contact with a romantic partner on February 21 in Tapalpa.

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