Did US play a role in the killing of El Mencho? What White House said

The White House press secretary added that the Trump administration welcomed the operation.

Published on: Feb 23, 2026, 09:07:30 IST

By Danita Yadav

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As Mexico carried out a massive security operation on Sunday against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the United States has said the operation was done based on intelligence provided by Washington. The raid, conducted by Mexican Special Forces, resulted in the killing of El Mencho, infamous drug lord and the leader of CJNG.

A man walks past Mexican soldiers on patrol in an armored vehicle, after authorities reinforced security following roadblocks and arson attacks carried out by organised crime in several states, in the aftermath of a military operation in which Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed (REUTERS)

Taking to social media platform X, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that while the operation was carried out on the instructions of the Mexican government, the Trump administration did provide intelligence support. Follow LIVE updates on Mexico clashes here

'‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland. Last year, President Trump rightfully designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization — because that’s exactly what it is. In this operation, three additional cartel members were killed, three were wounded, and two were arrested," Leavitt wrote on X.

The White House press secretary added that the Trump administration welcomed the operation and “commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation.”

Ahead of the Press Secretary's statement, a report by Reuters, citing US defence officials, stated that a task force led by the US military compiled a detailed target package on the drug lord, which was then handed over to the Mexican government.

As per Reuters, this task force - The Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel - was formally launched last month.

Involving multiple US government agencies, the task force works with the goal of mapping out networks of drug cartel members on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Apart from the intelligence support from the US, Mexico has stated that Washington played no other role in the operation.

Mexican drug lord El Mencho killed

Mexican authorities killed drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as 'El Mencho,' during an operation designed to capture him in the western state of Jalisco.

As per the statement issued by the Mexican defence ministry, the Oseguera Cervantes was wounded critically during the operation and died during the air lift to Mexico City.

The operation set off a wave of violence and clashes across Mexican states, with torched cars and gunmen, placed by the cartel, blocking highways.

Several countries such as the US, Canada and India have issued "take shelter" advisories for their citizens in Mexico.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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