23.02.2026 11:24
The killing of El Mencho, the leader of the country's largest cartel, who was wanted in Mexico with a reward of 10 million dollars, has caused a wide public outcry. The death of El Mencho, a 60-year-old former police officer, has turned the country into a firestorm, while it has been revealed that a task force called JITF-CC, established within the U.S. Army, was actively involved in the operation. Following U.S. President Trump's declaration of Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, it has been learned that this special unit has been working diligently.
Reports are coming in of violent incidents in many cities across the country following the killing of Mexican cartel leader 'El Mencho' in a U.S.-backed operation. It was stated that the events are being closely monitored from Turkey.
'El Mencho', whose real name is Nemesio Oseguera, was the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), considered one of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations.
INJURED IN THE OPERATION, DIED WHILE BEING TAKEN AWAY
The 60-year-old Oseguera, a former police officer, was reported to have been injured in an operation in Jalisco in western Mexico and died while being transported to Mexico City. The drug lord was managing a vast criminal organization responsible for smuggling large quantities of drugs, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the U.S.
TENSIONS RISING
After the operation, reports of deaths also came from some settlements. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called on the public to remain "calm." Violent incidents are being reported from many cities, including Guadalajara, one of the cities that will host the 2026 World Cup.
"U.S. TASK FORCE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE OPERATION"
A defense official who spoke to Reuters reported that a task force established within the U.S. military also played a role in the operation. The official stated that the task force was created for intelligence activities but did not disclose the capacity in which it participated in the El Mencho operation. Both the U.S. and Mexican governments report that the operation was carried out by Mexican soldiers.
"JOINT TASK FORCE TARGETING CARTELS ESTABLISHED"
Officials from the U.S. government who spoke to Reuters noted that a joint task force targeting drug cartels in Mexico was established in December with the participation of elements from different agencies. Another official who provided information to the agency stated that the file on El Mencho provided to Mexican authorities contained information supplied by law enforcement and intelligence. Very little is known about the task force JITF-CC, which was established to target cartels in Mexico.
NAME OF THE TASK FORCE LEADER: BRIGADIER GENERAL CALABRESE
It is stated on the website that the purpose of the establishment is to "detect, disrupt, and eliminate cartel activities that pose a threat to the U.S. along the U.S.-Mexico border." It is noted that Trump's declaration of Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations last year paved the way for such U.S. military assistance. The task force is led by Maurizio Calabrese, a brigadier general in the U.S. Army.
Calabrese told Reuters this month that the U.S. military is using its experience in combating organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS to map cartel networks. Brigadier General Calabrese estimated that there are "a few hundred core cartel members" at the "top."
"COMPLEMENTARY INFORMATION CAME FROM THE U.S."
The Mexican Ministry of Defense also announced that "complementary information" had come from the U.S., but did not provide details. The Trump administration was politically pressuring Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to increase the crackdown on drug trafficking. The U.S. was offering a reward of $15 million for information leading to the arrest or capture of El Mencho.