Mexico’s notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a military operation on Sunday, following a tip from his romantic partner, who was under surveillance by Mexican authorities. According to foreign media reports, the Mexican government acknowledged that they used his girlfriend’s information to gain access to El Mencho and launch a large-scale military operation against him.
Mexican Defense Minister General Ricardo Trujillo revealed that special forces carried out the operation in the state of Jalisco’s Tapalpa region, using intelligence provided by the US, and located El Mencho hiding in a bush. A fierce firefight ensued, leaving El Mencho and his two bodyguards injured, before they were taken into custody and transferred by helicopter when El Mencho died en route.
El Mencho’s death is a significant blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has been responsible for much of Mexico’s violence. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the US, which provided intelligence on El Mencho’s location.
The operation was not without its casualties, with over 70 people killed, including security personnel, suspected cartel members, and civilians. Two rocket launchers were also seized during the clashes, and a military helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing after it was hit by a bullet.
El Mencho’s close associate, “El Tuli,” was also killed in a separate firefight, after he was accused of planning to reward those who killed security forces, blocking roads, setting fire to public buildings, and launching attacks on government institutions.
Mexican security officials say that the country is still experiencing violence, particularly in Jalisco and neighboring states, but El Mencho’s death is seen as a significant victory in the war on drugs.
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Reports have emerged of a mysterious condition known as “Edema” affecting people in the public and medical sectors. A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, while US President Donald Trump dismissed reports that a senior US general had warned of the possibility of an attack on Iran.
In other international news, the UK’s Nigel Farage has called for visa bans on countries that refuse to take back illegal immigrants, including Pakistan. European External Affairs chief Josep Borrell has described the situation in Iran as “very serious,” but stressed that there should be no new war in the region. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Thani.
A petition has been filed with the Supreme Court of Pakistan, challenging the election tribunal’s decision in the recent general elections. Famous comedian Hanif Raja has spoken out about his travels around the world, describing Dubai and Sharjah as like a “lantern corridor.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, has praised her team for reducing prices. She has called on the public to boycott retailers who do not comply with price controls.
Police have arrested suspects in Sargodha and Narowal.
