How Did El Mencho's Girlfriend Help Commandos Track Him? Inside The Notorious Cartel Lord's Manhunt

El Mencho, Mexico's most wanted criminal and a notorious drug lord, is dead. Besides Mexico, he was one of the world's most infamous cartel leaders, known as the feared head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC). Mencho, whose real name is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, died Sunday, February 22, 2026, after being wounded during a massive Mexican military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Within hours, cartel gunmen unleashed chaos across 20 states.

But how could the drug lord, who successfully evaded capture for more than a decade, finally be cornered? Well, it turns out that it was a "romantic partner" who exposed him before fleeing the scene. Let's take a look at how a single tip from El Mencho's alleged girlfriend became a critical clue in his manhunt.

What was the critical clue that helped commanders track down El Mencho?

According to the defence secretary of Mexico, Gen. Ricardo Trevilla, intelligence units had long been tracking a trusted associate of one of Oseguera’s girlfriends. It was that unnamed associate who escorted the woman to a secluded property in Tapalpa for a rendezvous with the cartel leader. She left the property in the early hours of February 21, 2026, and surveillance confirmed that El Mencho was still inside with his security detail. That was all the officials needed to corner the drug lord.

Keeping the element of surprise intact, Mexican forces, backed by the U.S. Intelligence, chalked out and finalised plans for a pre-dawn attack. According to the authorities, American intelligence helped them with key additional information that confirmed Oseguera’s exact location during the final planning. The raid took place before dawn, with elite units from the Mexican Army and the National Guard moving in with both ground and air support. Six helicopters and additional special forces were stationed in states bordering Jalisco, while the Air Force conducted reconnaissance. Throughout the operation, the authorities reportedly kept Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum informed. 

What happened after the commanders attacked the property?

Immediately after the officials broke in, El Mencho reportedly attempted to flee with two bodyguards in tow into a wooded area near a cluster of cabins. The gunmen who accompanied him were armed with rocket launchers and weapons, used in an attempt to stall the advancing forces. One of the military helicopters was also hit in the process, forcing it into an emergency landing. Three soldiers were reported to be injured in the scuffle.

Image: ABC

Eventually, special forces found the cartel boss "hiding in the undergrowth,” according to officials. He and two bodyguards were wounded and taken into custody. However, all three reportedly died while being airlifted, being in "critical condition" already. As soon as their deaths were confirmed, the organisation retaliated immediately. 

Heated retaliation in and around Mexico after El Mencho's death

According to news outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters, cartel members in Mexico reacted immediately, setting up more than 250  roadblocks and torching vehicles across multiple states. In Jalisco alone, 25 National Guard members were killed, along with dozens of suspected cartel gunmen. Reports say that the violence has now spread to Michoacán and beyond. During the operation and the ensuing clashes, more than 70 people were reported dead. After El Mencho, the authorities also took down another top CJNG operator, Hugo César Macías Ureña, who was infamously known as "El Tuli". 

El Mencho was defeated after over a decade of a manhunt

El Mencho has been one of the world's most wanted cartel bosses whom Mexico and the United States have been trying to hunt down for years. There was a reward worth USD 15 million for anyone who could help find him, but it repeatedly led to dead ends. Oseguera Cervantes has evaded capture repeatedly, always protected by an inner circle that's known for using military-grade weapons.

El Mencho was a former police officer and avocado farmer who later chose the path of crime. He rose through the ranks of the Milenio Cartel before founding the CJNG. Under Mencho's leadership, the CJNG became Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organisation, engaging in fuel theft, extortion, and human trafficking. At the time of his death, he faced multiple indictments in the U.S. for trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. After over a decade of trying, the authorities focused on monitoring someone he trusted and allowed in his secret den, and the strategy finally worked. Once El Mencho's girlfriend left that night, he was alone and in a vulnerable position. The cartel kingpin was finally found in his forested hideout.

Who may be the new leader of El Mencho's organisation?

Following El Mencho's death, the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) is set to face a major leadership transition. While the cartel has officially confirmed that there is no single successor, several high-ranking figures are considered probable candidates for the new leadership. The most talked-about figure is Juan Carlos Valencia González, known as “El Pelón” or “El R3.” As El Mencho’s stepson, he has long been considered second-in-command and a natural heir to the organization. U.S. authorities are actively seeking him, with the State Department offering a USD 5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. 

Another serious contender is Audias Flores Silva, alias “El Jardinero.” Identified by the U.S. Treasury Department as a regional commander involved in drug trafficking and violent operations, he is considered a key figure within the cartel’s inner circle. Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, aka “El Sapo,” is another high-ranking name in the mix as a senior CJNG member and operational boss of the Puerto Vallarta Plaza. Lastly, Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez, or “El Chorro,” remains another possible candidate. As El Mencho’s son-in-law and a senior lieutenant, he holds significant influence within the family network.

What are your thoughts on officials using one of El Mencho's romantic partners to track him down? Let us know.

Also Read: Meet El Mencho's Children With Wife, Are They Married Or Involved In D**g-Related Crimes?

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