This is how “El Mencho” escaped: “A tip-off from the National Guard”

Once again, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, managed to evade Mexican security forces. What seemed like yet another confrontation between criminal groups and authorities in the Mexican Bajío region was actually a direct and planned attempt to capture the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the main drivers of violence in the country. However, a leak from the National Guard thwarted the operation.

According to the column “Strictly Personal” by journalist Raymundo Riva Palacio, a high-level source in the federal government confirmed that a tip-off from within the National Guard alerted El Mencho that they were after him.

This allowed him to change location and activate his armed forces, who engaged federal agents in a chase that began in Jalisco and ended in the capital of Guanajuato. At least two federal agents died, although only arrests and seizures were officially reported.

The frustration within the security cabinet is palpable. Not only because of the failure of the operation, but also because El Mencho continues to expand his criminal influence. According to investigations by US agencies, the CJNG has taken advantage of the weakening of the Sinaloa Cartel and, by supporting the Los Chapitos faction in the Culiacán war, is gaining territory in the northwest of the country.