Mexican authorities recently killed Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as ‘El Mencho.’ The notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was killed following a high-stakes military operation in western Mexico. The US had placed a $15 million bounty for information leading to his capture.
Oseguera died in a helicopter after sustaining injuries during a raid by Mexican special forces in a wooded area near Tapalpa, a village known for its scenic vacation homes, according to Mexico’s Defense Ministry.
How A Tip From El Mencho’s Girlfriend Helped Mexican Authorities Kill The Drug Lord
According to reports, a crucial tip from one of Oseguera’s romantic partners played a key role in locating the cartel leader. Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla stated that intelligence from the confidante allowed authorities to quickly plan a raid the following day.
At a Monday press briefing, Trevilla explained that the woman, “one of the romantic partners of ‘El Mencho,’” had been brought to a house in Tapalpa by a trusted associate. She met with Oseguera on Saturday and then departed, leaving him with his security detail. This information was instrumental in preparing the operation.
The National Guard’s Special Immediate Reaction Force executed the operation on Sunday, combining land and air maneuvers.
Who Is María Julissa, Social Media Claims As Alleged Lover Of El Mencho?
Following news of the raid, social media users speculated that a woman identified as María Julissa, described online as a popular influencer and alleged lover of Oseguera, had tipped off authorities. Telemundo and viral posts on X fueled the claims.
La noticia es falsa!
🚨 | la información que se ha presentado durante el dia sobre Maria Julissa es completamente falsa y aconsejamos que reporten las cuentas que se aprovechan de esto | 🚨 pic.twitter.com/gkrK8Ay0hX
— 𝔓𝔒𝔓𝔓𝔄🥷🏿➰ (@Poppagbz) February 23, 2026
Julissa publicly denied the allegations. In an Instagram statement, she said, “Is disseminating information where supposedly I have published stories talking about what happened in Mexico. I want to clarify that everything is TOTALLY FALSE! I’m a person who doesn’t like problems, I don’t like to mess with anyone and live the party in peace. I ask you please if you see posts like the following, report them!”
She further added, “HELP ME TAKE DOWN ALL THESE PAGES ON FACEBOOK PLEASE THIS IS TOTALLY FAKE.”
At present, officials have not confirmed any involvement of Julissa or named the associate who allegedly helped authorities locate Oseguera.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
