On Sunday, Mexican authorities captured rocket launchers capable of downing aircraft during an operation that resulted in the death of Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera Cervantes, famously known as “El Mencho.” This incident highlights the formidable military-style arsenal accumulated by the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) over the years.
In the past, CJNG was linked to a notorious 2015 event in Jalisco, where cartel members employed rocket-propelled grenades to destroy a Mexican military helicopter. This incident served as one of the clearest examples of a cartel using military-grade weaponry against federal forces.
The attack significantly shifted how Mexican authorities assessed the threat posed by the cartel’s capabilities.
During the raid on Sunday, officials reported that security forces came under attack and responded with counterfire, utilizing aircraft and specialized units to carry out their mission. The operation led to the confiscation of armored vehicles and heavy weaponry, items more commonly seen in war zones than in typical law enforcement scenarios.
Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was killed during the operation conducted by Mexican forces in Jalisco on Sunday.
The mission involved Mexican Special Forces, supported by aircraft from the Air Force and rapid-reaction units of the National Guard, underscoring the substantial force necessary to tackle top-tier cartel figures.
Former U.S. officials have described CJNG as operating more like a paramilitary organization than a traditional trafficking ring, using coordinated roadblocks, armed convoys and structured enforcement wings to assert control in contested regions.
In prior reporting, former Drug Enforcement Administration officials said the group commanded large numbers of gunmen and organized itself in a way that allowed it to deploy force quickly and visibly.
CJNG is known for its paramilitary-style operations and structure. (Eduardo Verdugo, File/AP Photo)
CJNG’s tactics have included seizing vehicles and staging coordinated attacks in urban areas to demonstrate strength and deter rivals or security forces.
Over time, such displays reinforced its reputation as one of Mexico’s most heavily armed criminal organizations.
Smoke rises into the sky over Puerto Vallarta during an operation targeting cartel activity on Feb. 22, 2026. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
The State Department issued a travel alert Sunday urging Americans in multiple Mexican states to shelter in place due to “ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity,” reflecting the instability that can follow major cartel confrontations.
In recent years, Mexican authorities have increasingly relied on military forces – rather than local police – to confront senior cartel figures as groups like CJNG expanded their reach and arsenals.
The raid that killed “El Mencho” marked not only the removal of a powerful drug lord but also another example of how heavily armed cartels can challenge state forces in direct confrontations.
