Get you up to speed: El Mencho’s death sparks violence in Tapalpa as rival cartel tensions rise
Mexican drug cartel leader Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Osguera Cervantes was shot dead in his home in a residential suburb outside Tapalpa, Jalisco, during a military raid. He fled into a nearby wooded area after the raid but succumbed to his injuries while being transported by helicopter for medical treatment. The two-storey home where he was killed had various personal items, including religious symbols and a note featuring a portion of Psalm 91.
Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Osguera Cervantes was shot dead at his home in southern Jalisco after fleeing to a wooded area during a military raid, dying while being transported for medical treatment, according to reports. Following his death, there is speculation regarding the potential power struggle within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, particularly involving Rosalinda González Valencia, known as ‘La Jefa’, who is believed to have significant cartel experience and could vie for leadership. Valencia, the ex-wife of El Mencho, has been linked to the Milenio cartel through her familial connections, raising concerns about her role in the cartel’s future.
Following the death of Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Osguera Cervantes, there is potential for infighting within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as various factions vie for leadership. Rosalinda González Valencia, known as ‘La Jefa’, is considered a strong candidate for leadership due to her extensive experience in the cartel’s operations and connections. Additionally, there are discussions about the possibility of a partnership between Valencia and her daughter, Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez, known as ‘La Negra’, which could solidify their positions as influential figures in the cartel.
What we know so far
El Mencho’s country villa is fairly normal for a feared drugs kingpin | News World
The quiet residential neighbourhood was rocked by violence (Picture: Reuters)
Cartel head Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Osguera Cervantes was shot dead in his country home hideout on Sunday, sparking violence across Mexico.
But for a drug kingpin who oversaw a multibillion-dollar cartel, the house where he took his final stand is rather ordinary.
The home, in a residential suburb of southern Jalisco, is right outside the town of Tapalpa.
He was shot after fleeing the home with his security detail into a nearby wooded area, before dying of his injuries on a helicopter to Mexico City for treatment.
The two-story home, with modern architecture, was nestled far away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby town of Tapalpa, Milenio reported.
Inside the home, a bedroom with a king mattress and ‘meticulously’ organised clothing, toiletries, and other belongings sat undisturbed.
It appears the hardened criminal liked the luxurious things in life as well – large chandeliers, a fully stocked kitchen and leather couches were photographed in the home as well.
One table had photos of Saint Jude Thaddeus and the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico – a symbol of resilience in the home of the now-dead cartel leader.
It’s believed the drug lord was sleeping when troops moved in (Picture: Reuters)
Multiple religious figures were set up on a nightstand (Picture: Reuters)
The home also had three other bedrooms, a large garden connecting to a hillside and further religious symbols in the yard.
One bedroom had a handwritten portion of Psalm 91, dated to January 25, reading: ‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.’
The home was not completely spotless, though – one room contained dozens of black rubbish bags scattered about.
A garbage bin in the back garden showed blood pooled on the tile below, with shards of wood and tile from the shootout with government authorities.
One neighbour told Menio that the subdivision is filled with homes rented by tourists in Tapalpa.
She was unsure if El Mencho stayed in the home often, and it remains unclear if he actually owned the home or rented it.
The kitchen was in disarray (Picture: Reuters)
The stone two-storey house was nestled in the Jalisco foothills (Picture: Reuters)
After the death of El Mencho, there could be some infighting for who takes the title of leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
‘La Jefa’ – which translates to ‘the boss’ – is Rosalinda González Valencia, 63, the ex-wife of El Mencho, and is believed to be in the fray of developments due to her ongoing role in the cartel.
El Mencho, who shares three children with his ex-wife, had been linked to other romantic partners after his split from Valencia in 2018.
One of these children is Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez – known as ‘La Negra’, who has previously been jailed for money laundering.
Both Jessica and her mum have kept lower profiles after being jailed briefly for laundering money for the cartel.
Now, there are suggestions that Valencia could be poised to take over the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, given her decades of experience in money laundering and her work alongside her ex-husband.
Valencia was no stranger to the world of crime, being the niece of cartel leader ‘El Maradona’, who founded the Milenio cartel – which eventually split to form what’s now known as the Jalicso New Generation Cartel.
If ‘La Jefa’ and her daughter, ‘La Negra’, join forces, they could become some of the most powerful ‘narco queens’ in Mexico.
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