The Daily Aus The operation to capture Mexico's most wanted man
6 snips
Feb 24, 2026 A deep dive into El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco cartel, and why he mattered to Mexico and the US. A breakdown of the raid that led to his death and the violent clashes that followed. Coverage of cartel retaliation, arson and roadblocks across the country. Discussion of impacts on civilians, tourist zones and concerns around World Cup matches in Guadalajara.
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Why El Mencho Was A High Priority Target
- El Mencho led the Jalisco New Generation cartel which became Mexico's fastest growing and one of the most violent trafficking organisations.
- The US called it a major exporter of cocaine, meth and illicit opioids and had a $15 million reward for information on El Mencho.
US Helped With Intelligence Mexico Carried Out Capture
- The US provided intelligence but Mexican forces executed the operation and physically captured El Mencho.
- He died later in a helicopter en route to a medical facility, so he was captured alive before dying in transit.
How Intelligence From A Romantic Link Led To The Raid
- Authorities tracked someone close to one of El Mencho's romantic partners to get eyes on him and then launched a raid after she left.
- During the raid special forces clashed with cartel members; four were killed on scene and three more later died.