February 23, 2026

El Mencho's partner was key to his capture: Defense reports the chronology of the operation against the CJNG leader

This Monday at La Mañanera, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo gave details of the operation to capture Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho." From the National Palace, Defense declared that El Mencho's partner was key to his capture. Development of the operation Through Central Military Intelligence, a trusted man of one of El Mencho's partners was located; who took her to Tapalpa, Jalisco. There she met with El Mencho. The partner left the property and intelligence information was obtained that El Mencho remained in a cabin in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The operation was planned and an operational force was organized consisting of special forces from the Army and the National Guard and aircraft from the Mexican Air Force. Once El Mencho's presence was confirmed, the operational force moved to arrest him, upon noticing the presence of military personnel, they opened fire against the soldiers and national guards. El Mencho left a group in the cabin area to stop the advance. The criminals attacked the personnel, so force was used and the aggression was repelled based on the National Law of Use of Force. 8 criminals died (4 were reported preliminarily in the press release), 7 long weapons, 2 rocket launchers, 8 vehicles, 2 racers, cartridges and magazines were secured, likewise, 2 soldiers were injured. El Mencho and his close circle fled to a wooded area, a cordon was set up that managed to fix him, upon noticing the presence of the force, they used their weapons and hit a helicopter, which made an emergency landing. Due to the injuries, evacuation to a medical facility in Jalisco was necessary, but El Mencho and his escorts died on the way; it was necessary to transfer them to Morelia, Michoacán and later to Mexico City. With Central Military Intelligence, it was obtained that Hugo “H” “Tuli”, Financial Operator was in El Grullo, Jal., a unit was deployed, he tried to escape in a vehicle where he shot at the force and the result was his death. Members of the CJNG carried out road blockades, burning of vehicles, attacks on military facilities in Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Puebla and Tamaulipas.