U.S. intelligence played pivotal role in operation that killed cartel boss
By ramontomeydw // 2026-02-25
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  • U.S. intelligence provided critical support to Mexican forces in a raid that resulted in the death of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
  • The U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JITF-CC) supplied detailed targeting data on El Mencho's movements, though no American personnel were physically present during the operation.
  • CJNG, one of Mexico's most powerful and brutal cartels, flooded U.S. streets with fentanyl, cocaine and meth – fueling a deadly addiction crisis and prompting its designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2024.
  • The operation signals a shift toward deeper U.S. military and intelligence engagement in Mexico's drug war, raising concerns about potential blowback, including cartel retaliation and unintended strengthening of criminal networks.
  • Following El Mencho's death, CJNG launched violent reprisals, attacking Guadalajara's airport and blockading highways, demonstrating the cartel's continued threat despite the leadership loss.
U.S. intelligence provided critical support to Mexican forces in a high-stakes operation on Sunday, Feb. 22, that culminated in the death of one of Mexico's most feared drug lords. Mexican armed forces carried out the raid in the town of Talpalpa in Mexico's Jalisco state. What was originally an attempt to apprehend 59-year-old Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), ended in his elimination. While the raid marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against transnational narcoterrorism, it raises questions about escalating U.S. involvement in Mexico's drug war. According to a former U.S. official who spoke anonymously to Reuters, American agencies delivered a comprehensive targeting package to Mexican authorities, detailing El Mencho's movements, networks and operational strongholds. This intelligence, compiled by U.S. law enforcement and surveillance assets, was instrumental in pinpointing the cartel leader's location ahead of the deadly confrontation. The U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JITF-CC), a newly formed military-led unit specializing in cartel intelligence, reportedly played a role in the operation. However, officials emphasized that no American personnel were physically present during the raid. El Mencho, whose cartel rose to dominance after the downfall of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, had long evaded capture despite a $15 million U.S. bounty. His CJNG empire, valued between $500 million and $1 billion, flooded American streets with fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine – fueling an addiction crisis that claimed tens of thousands of lives annually. The Trump administration's December 2024 designation of CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization – a move that unlocked expanded military surveillance and targeting capabilities – signaled a more aggressive U.S. stance against Mexican cartels. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the operation, stating that U.S. President Donald Trump's pressure on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to intensify cartel crackdowns had borne fruit. "The U.S. will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved," Leavitt declared.

Retaliation mode: Cartel warfare escalates

Yet the collaboration also underscores deepening militarization in the drug war. U.S. Brig. Gen. Maurizio Calabrese, who leads the JITF-CC, compared cartel interdiction efforts to counterterrorism campaigns against groups like al-Qaeda. The fallout was immediate. Hours after El Mencho's death, CJNG gunmen stormed Guadalajara International Airport, torched vehicles and blockaded highways across multiple states – a stark reminder of the cartel's retaliatory capabilities. While Mexican officials downplayed direct U.S. involvement in the raid, the operation's reliance on American intelligence highlights a strategic shift. Washington is no longer content with mere border enforcement but is actively shaping Mexico's internal security operations. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the U.S. assisting Mexico in the war against drug cartels risks arming and empowering these criminal organizations with American military equipment, which could escalate violence and national security threats. This misguided support could inadvertently strengthen cartels, destabilize border states and leave the U.S. vulnerable to multi-front crises amid already strained ammunition and defense capabilities. As the dust settles, the killing of El Mencho represents both a tactical win and a potential escalation point. With cartels increasingly resembling paramilitary forces – and U.S. surveillance tools now fully deployed against them – the stage is set for a protracted, shadowy conflict where intelligence-sharing may prove as decisive as firepower. For now, however, Washington and Mexico City are framing this operation as proof that even the most elusive kingpins are no longer beyond reach. Watch this video about the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's narco-map, and how groups like CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel are dividing Mexico. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com Reuters.com Axios.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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