A newly created task force of the US army has assisted in the operation in Mexico, in which the most wanted drug lord in the country, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho“, was killed.
The American participation was related to the collection of intelligence information on drug cartels, a representative of the US Department of Defense confirmed to the “Reuters“ agency.
The specialized unit was formed at the end of last year with the main goal of mapping in detail the networks of drug cartels on both sides of the border. The Reuters source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stressed that the operation itself on the ground was entirely the work of the Mexican army.
El Mencho was wanted by the Americans as the head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which is believed to be involved in trafficking fentanyl and other drugs to the United States.
The Mexican Defense Ministry said the drug lord was seriously wounded in a shootout in the western state of Jalisco and died while being transported to the capital. His death sparked a wave of violence. In at least six Mexican states, there were reports of cars being set on fire and armed men blocking major highways.