Indian embassy in Mexico issued a “shelter in place” advisory for Indian citizens in certain areas of Mexico impacted by criminal violence and roadblocks following the killing of a senior cartel leader El Mencho by local security forces in US-backed raid. It also released a helpline number in case of emergencies. Individuals were advised to call 911, while consular assistance could be sought by contacting the Embassy of India in Mexico at +52 55 4847 7539, the embassy said.
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho, was killed on Sunday morning during a federal operation targeting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Following his death, criminal groups set vehicles on fire to block roads in several parts of Jalisco, according to local media reports from Reforma and Milenio.
What did the Indian embassy in Mexico say?
“There are ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, Indian nationals in Jalisco State (areas of Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (areas of Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State should shelter in place until further notice,” Indian embassy in Mexico said on X.
The Indian Embassy in Mexico advised citizens to stay away from areas where law enforcement operations are underway and to remain alert to their surroundings. It urged people to take shelter and limit unnecessary movement outside, keep track of local news for updates, and follow instructions issued by local authorities. It also recommended avoiding crowded places and keeping family and friends informed about their location and safety through phone calls, messages, or social media.
Authorities said that Oseguera and six other cartel members were killed either during the operation or in related incidents, while three soldiers were injured. Mexico’s defense ministry stated that the raid was conducted with the help of intelligence provided by the United States. Officials also shared the seizure of multiple weapons, including rocket launchers capable of bringing down aircraft and damaging armored vehicles.
Later in the day, Claudia Sheinbaum praised the security forces involved and emphasised that most parts of the country were not affected by the operation, noting that authorities across different states had worked in close coordination. She urged the public to stay informed and remain calm, while acknowledging that some road blockades were still in place.
Residents of Guadalajara circulated videos showing armed individuals shooting at vehicle tires to obstruct intersections, while similar blockades were later reported in other states, including Michoacán and Guanajuato. The violent reaction following Oseguera’s killing highlights the significant strength and growing influence of criminal groups, which continue to pose a serious challenge to the state, according to Jose Maria Ramos Garcia, a professor at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte.
The United States increased the reward to $15 million in 2024 for information leading to Oseguera’s capture, underscoring his importance within a criminal network that generates billions of dollars annually.
Who was El Mencho?
El Mencho, 59, was a former police officer who headed the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as it grew into one of the “most powerful and ruthless criminal organisations” in Mexico, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, reported CNN.
Originally from Aguililla in the neighbouring state of Michoacán, Oseguera Cervantes became involved in drug trafficking during the 1990s. He was sought by US authorities, who offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest, the report noted.
In his early years, he reportedly migrated to the United States, where he was convicted in 1994 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California for conspiracy to distribute heroin and served nearly three years in prison. After completing his sentence, he returned to Mexico and resumed drug trafficking activities, working alongside drug lord Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, also known as “Nacho Coronel”.
Following Villarreal’s death, Oseguera Cervantes and Erik Valencia Salazar, alias “El 85″, founded the CJNG around 2009. The group initially operated under the Sinaloa Cartel but later broke away, and the two organisations have since fought for control of territory across Mexico.
Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes had been indicted multiple times in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, according to the Associated Press. In 2022, the US Justice Department charged El Mencho with leading operations to manufacture and distribute controlled substances, comprising methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, for trafficking into the United States.
