According to Mexican Defense Minister General Ricardo Treville Trejo, an investigation launched on February 20 targeting the network of the leader and co-founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) led to a key person who had access to his hideout. It was about the partner of one of his most reliable associates, writes Index.hr.
US-backed operation planning
A day later, on February 21, the woman left the shack complex on the outskirts of the town of Tapalpa, but intelligence indicated that “El Mencho” remained in hiding with his entourage, Trevilla said.
The Mexican Air Force and the National Guard’s Rapid Response Special Forces immediately began planning an operation to prevent the cartel leader from being lost again.
President Claudia Sheinbaum added that the United States provided intelligence support by sharing information, but without the involvement of ground forces.
The mission was carried out by a combination of ground units, air-mobile units with helicopters that did not enter the airspace of the federal state of Jalisco so as not to arouse suspicion, and air support forces.
Final reckoning
After establishing a security perimeter, the forces began a search for “El Mench” and clashed with his closest associates. In the exchange of fire at the scene, eight members of the cartel were killed, while two soldiers were wounded.
As security forces approached, the cartel leader and several of his aides fled into a nearby wooded area.
“El Mencho fled, leaving behind a group with a large amount of weapons; it was a very violent attack by an organized crime group. The military forces repelled the attack,” Trevilla said.
Members of the special forces eventually located “El Mencha” in dense forest vegetation where he was killed in a heavy exchange of fire, thus ending the multi-year search for one of the most wanted drug lords in Mexico.
(Vijesti.ba)
