El Mencho Biography | Who was El Mencho
El Mencho was the alias of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, a notorious Mexican drug lord. He was born on July 17, 1966, in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico.
First, he worked as a police officer in Mexico. However, he later joined organized crime in the 1990s. Subsequently, he became a top member of the Milenio Cartel. Later, he helped found the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in 2009. Under his leadership, CJNG became one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal groups.
He oversaw widespread drug trafficking, extortion, violence, and smuggling operations. His cartel expanded across Mexico and into the United States. The group trafficked cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, among other illicit products.
For years, U.S. and Mexican authorities hunted him. The U.S. government offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.
On February 22, 2026, Mexican security forces killed El Mencho in a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. He was wounded during the raid and later died while being flown to Mexico City.
His death triggered violent retaliation from cartel members across several Mexican states. Vehicles were burned and clashes erupted in major regions.
Today, El Mencho is remembered as one of the most feared and powerful cartel leaders in modern Mexican history. His fall marks a major moment in Mexico’s ongoing struggle against organized crime.
El Mencho Age 2026 | How Old was El Mencho?
El Mencho was 59 years old at the time of his death on February 22, 2026. Born on July 17, 1966, in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes led the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) for many years. Over decades, he became one of Mexico’s most wanted drug lords. Meanwhile, U.S. and Mexican authorities offered large rewards for his capture. His age underscored a long criminal career before Mexican forces killed him in a 2026 military operation.
El Mencho Height | How Tall Was El Mencho?
El Mencho stood about 5′7″ (170 cm) tall according to U.S. law enforcement records. This height places Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes within average adult male stature. Moreover, authorities list his weight around 150 lbs (68 kg) and his eye color as brown. Therefore, his physical description helped agencies track him on wanted posters. As leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), he remained one of Mexico’s most-wanted figures until his death in 2026. His listed height and features appeared in international fugitive alerts for years.
El Mencho Wife | Who Is Rosalinda González Valencia?
El Mencho’s wife is Rosalinda González Valencia. She married Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, leader and founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Rosalinda earned the nickname “La Jefa” because of her high profile in cartel circles. Moreover, she faced legal trouble for alleged money laundering linked to cartel finances. In 2023, a judge sentenced her to five years in prison, but courts later allowed her early release in 2025. Meanwhile, she remains a figure tied to CJNG’s financial network. Together, they had three children, including Rubén Oseguera González.
El Mencho Children | Kids
El Mencho had three children with Rosalinda González Valencia. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes built a family that later drew global attention due to cartel investigations.
First, his son Rubén Oseguera González, known as “El Menchito,” became a senior figure in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. U.S. authorities convicted him on drug trafficking charges. Consequently, he received a life sentence in the United States.
Meanwhile, his daughter Jessica Johanna Oseguera González, nicknamed “La Negra,” faced U.S. charges linked to CJNG financial operations. She later resolved her case in federal court.
Additionally, Laisha Michelle Oseguera González remains less publicly involved but has appeared in investigations tied to the cartel network. Overall, El Mencho’s children remain closely associated with CJNG’s legal and criminal history.
El Mencho Family | Parents, Siblings & CJNG Background
El Mencho was born into a modest farming family in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes grew up in a rural community with limited economic opportunities. However, public information about his parents remains scarce. Authorities have not widely linked them to cartel operations.
Meanwhile, several of his siblings later faced criminal investigations. Notably, Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “Tony Montana,” became a senior figure in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Mexican and U.S. authorities arrested him on organized crime charges.
Additionally, Abraham Oseguera Cervantes, called “Don Rodo,” reportedly handled financial matters tied to CJNG. Law enforcement arrested him multiple times in connection with cartel activities. Overall, El Mencho’s family network attracted legal scrutiny as CJNG expanded across Mexico.
El Mencho Killed | Death, Cause & CJNG Leader’s Final Battle
What happened with Mencho in Mexico?
El Mencho died on February 22, 2026, after a fierce firefight in Jalisco, Mexico. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes led the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) at the time of his death. Mexican Army forces tracked him to Tapalpa, Jalisco, using U.S.-provided intelligence in the operation. During the clash, he suffered severe gunshot wounds. Then, authorities airlifted him for medical care, but he died en route to Mexico City due to those injuries.
After his death, violent reprisals erupted across multiple Mexican states. Members of his cartel torched vehicles and blocked highways. Meanwhile, security forces struggled to restore order as chaos spread.
El Mencho’s killing marked a significant moment in Mexico’s struggle against organized crime and the global drug trade.
El Mencho Retaliation | CJNG Violence and Aftermath Across Mexico
After El Mencho’s death on February 22, 2026, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel launched violent retaliation across multiple Mexican states. Cartel forces set fires and blocked roads with burning vehicles after clashes with government troops.
Furthermore, armed CJNG members carried out shootouts and explosions in Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Colima and Nayarit. Meanwhile, schools closed and authorities warned citizens to stay indoors during the unrest.
In some areas, embassies urged nationals to shelter in place due to widespread violence. Consequently, security forces cleared hundreds of cartel-set blockades.
El Mencho Net Worth 2026 | Estimated Wealth of CJNG Leader
El Mencho’s estimated net worth ranged between $3 billion and $4 billion at the height of his power. Authorities linked this wealth to drug trafficking, extortion, and cartel enterprises. Moreover, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel generated massive revenue from methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine sales across Mexico and the United States. Although exact figures remain uncertain, analysts consider him one of the wealthiest cartel bosses worldwide. Additionally, authorities seized assets tied to his network during enforcement actions.