New Delhi: US President Donald Trump set off a fresh round of speculation on Sunday with a short, cryptic message. Trump posted, “We’re winning too much, it’s just not fair! President DJT” on Truth Social X. The post came hours after Mexico confirmed the death of one of its most wanted men- Nemesio Oseguera, who is better known as “El Mencho”.
The 60-year-old Oseguera led the feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which is a group long accused of trafficking vast quantities of drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States. Mexican authorities said he was wounded during a special forces raid in the Pacific coastal town of Tapalpa in Jalisco state and later died in custody. His body was flown to Mexico City under heavy security.
Trump’s remark did not mention the operation directly, but still, its timing was enough to trigger questions about Washington’s role behind the scenes.
Mexico pushes back on US role
Mexico’s embassy in Washington moved quickly to calm the chatter. In a statement, it rejected claims that the United States had directed or led the raid, calling such suggestions false.
This post is false.
The military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, aimed at capturing Rubén “N,” alias “Mencho,” was planned and executed by Mexican Special Forces.
The action was carried out within the framework of bilateral cooperation, with U.S. authorities providing… pic.twitter.com/4mLu0b0x7k
— Embassy of Mexico in the U.S. (@EmbamexEUA) February 22, 2026
According to the embassy, the mission was planned and carried out by Mexican special forces. It said US agencies provided only complementary intelligence under the existing cooperation agreement between the two countries.
White House Press Secretary Karoline
The Mexico embassy statement followed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s confirmation that US intelligence support had been shared. She praised the Mexican military for what she described as a successful operation and reiterated that the administration would continue targeting drug networks sending narcotics across the border.
The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated.… https://t.co/iKxsAMmnLN
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 23, 2026
Violence flares after cartel leader’s death
The fallout was swift. In the hours after Oseguera’s death became public, gunmen torched vehicles, blocked highways and set businesses on fire across at least six states. Though no civilian deaths were reported, the unrest disrupted transport routes and rattled residents.
In the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, visitors described scenes that felt closer to a conflict zone than a holiday destination with smoke rising over parts of the coastline. Airlines including Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines temporarily suspended flights to the area.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbauma now faces a delicate moment. Washington has been pressing the government to step up action against cartels blamed for the fentanyl crisis in the US. While the operation marks one of the most significant blows against organised crime in recent years, it also underscores the risks that follow when powerful cartel figures are taken down.
Authorities said daily life continued largely as normal in most regions, although some schools are closed as a precaution. Whether the crackdown brings lasting stability remains to be seen.
(With inputs from Reuters)