CIA's SHOCKING Move: Drug Lord DEAD! What Happens Next?

CIA's SHOCKING Move: Drug Lord DEAD! What Happens Next?
Current Affairs 24 February 2026

The takedown of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has sent shockwaves through Mexico. And according to multiple reports, a key ingredient in the Mexican military's operation wasn't just Mexican intelligence – it was a helping hand from the CIA.

CIA's SHOCKING Move: Drug Lord DEAD! What Happens ...

US and Mexican officials are being tight-lipped, but they've acknowledged that intelligence sharing played a crucial role in the operation that fatally wounded El Mencho on Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The Mexican Defense Ministry confirmed his death. Now, predictably, the CJNG is unleashing its fury across the country, leading to widespread violence and disruptions.

Mexican officials are describing the US contribution as "complementary," but US sources speaking to Reuters, the New York Times, and other outlets paint a stronger picture. They say information provided by the CIA, funneled through the Pentagon-led Joint Interagency Task Force Counter Cartel (JITF-CC), was "instrumental" in locating Cervantes. This JITF-CC, launched just last month, is supposedly applying counterinsurgency tactics honed in the Middle East to the fight against the cartels. Think about that for a second – the same strategies used in war zones now being deployed in Mexico. It’s a pretty stark illustration of just how serious things have become.

Apparently, the CIA, under Director John Ratcliffe, ramped up an anti-cartel program that was already in place under President Biden, focusing on recruiting informants on the ground. One former US official told Reuters that the Mexican government received a "detailed target package for El Mencho." That's a significant level of support, to say the least.

This all comes as former US President Donald Trump has been putting the heat on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, demanding a more aggressive crackdown on drug trafficking and even threatening direct US intervention on Mexican soil. You can see how this kind of intelligence sharing, even if it’s framed as assistance, could easily be interpreted as meddling.

The fallout from El Mencho’s death is already being felt. CJNG members are retaliating with a vengeance, engaging in gun battles with security forces across multiple states, including Jalisco, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Colima, and Oaxaca. Even operations at airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara have been disrupted due to the threat of violence. This cartel, founded in 2009, has a reputation for being one of the wealthiest and most violent in Mexico. Reports even suggest they fund their own special operations forces who, unbelievably, gained drone warfare experience fighting for Kiev in the Ukraine conflict. It’s a tangled web, for sure.

Read more: Cartel violence sweeps Mexico after killing of drug lord (VIDEOS)

Read more: Mexican cartel was taught drone warfare in Ukraine – media

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James Mitchell

Experienced journalist specializing in current affairs and breaking news coverage.

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