Streets empty as residents shield from chaos of retaliatory attacks after death of ‘El Mencho’ in federal raid
Mexico is on alert after cartel gunmen went on a violent rampage of revenge in response to federal forces killing their leader, a notorious mob boss known as “El Mencho”.
Authorities had attempted to capture Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday but the raid led to a firefight that fatally wounded the infamous leader and killed six of his accomplices, according to officials.
Retaliatory cartel attacks since the raid have killed 25 members of the National Guard and one security guard, according to Mexico’s security minister, Omar García Harfuch. He said 30 cartel operatives were killed as well as one bystander.
El Mencho, 59, was one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers. He led the heavily armed Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which had become the country’s most powerful criminal organisation. The defence minister, Ricardo Trevilla said information leading to the capture and death of Mexico’s most-wanted man stemmed from a romantic partner.
