Mexican army kills leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel, official says

"MEXICO CITY The Mexican army killed the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho, " in an operation Sunday, a federal official said. The official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said it happened during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco. It followed several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states."

"Such tactics are commonly used by the cartels to block military operations. Videos circulating social media showed plumes of smoke billowing over the city of Puerto Vallarta, a major city in Jalisco, and sprinting through the airport of the state's capital in panic. On Sunday afternoon, Air Canada announced it was suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta "due to an ongoing security situation" and advised customers not to go to their airport."

"The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as CJNG, is one of the most powerful and fasted growing criminal organizations in Mexico and was born in 2009. In February, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization. It has been one of the most aggressive cartels in its attacks on the militaryincluding helicoptersand a pioneer in launching explosives from drones."

Mexican army killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel during a military operation in Jalisco. The operation followed several hours of cartel-set roadblocks with burning vehicles used to hinder security forces. Videos showed smoke over Puerto Vallarta and panicked people running through the state's capital airport, prompting Air Canada to suspend flights and advise customers to avoid the airport. The U.S. State Department offered up to $15 million for information leading to El Mencho's arrest. CJNG, founded in 2009, is a growing, highly aggressive cartel designated a foreign terrorist organization and known for attacks on the military, drone explosives, and widespread drug trafficking.

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