Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Wednesday, ruling out potential problems for the FIFA World Cup despite a wave of violence that swept the country after an operation in Jalisco on Sunday that killed Nemesio Oseguera, alias “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Photo by Jose Mendez/EPA
Feb. 25 (UPI) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she talked with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone to discuss the security situation after an operation killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Speaking at her Wednesday morning press conference, Sheinbaum said Trump asked about security conditions after the killing, according to Mexican news outlet AS.
“He called to ask me what is happening in Mexico, how things are. I told him about the operation and that we had intelligence support from the United States government,” Sheinbaum said.
She reiterated that Mexican forces carried out the operation after Trump said during his State of the Union address Tuesday night that the United States had eliminated the drug trafficker.
In that speech, Trump praised the security operation in Mexico that led to the death of one of the most-wanted drug traffickers sought by both countries.
“We have taken down one of the most sinister cartel leaders, you saw it yesterday,” Trump told Congress without directly naming Oseguera, Telemundo reported.
Sheinbaum stressed that U.S. participation was limited to intelligence sharing, while Mexico’s Defense Ministry planned and executed the operation.
“We have already explained that collaboration was essentially in intelligence. The entire operation was carried out by our armed forces,” she said.
Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said information provided by Washington was combined with prior surveillance work by Mexican military intelligence, allowing authorities to pinpoint Oseguera at a tourist cabin complex in Tapalpa, in the western state of Jalisco.
Trevilla said federal forces located Oseguera after tracking a girlfriend. Mexican Army units surrounded the cartel leader and his security detail, El Economista reported.
After a violent confrontation, Oseguera tried to escape through nearby woodland but was seriously wounded.
Mexican military personnel transported him by helicopter toward Guadalajara, but he died during the flight. Authorities then diverted the aircraft for security reasons and transferred the body to Mexico City.
Sheinbaum also confirmed that U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson met Tuesday with Mexico’s Security Cabinet at the National Palace to follow up on bilateral cooperation, though she did not specify the topics discussed.
Oseguera, 59, was one of Mexico’s most-wanted drug traffickers, and the United States had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. He founded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which has grown into one of Mexico’s most violent criminal organizations.
Oseguera’s death has had international repercussions. After the killing, global governing body FIFA expressed support for Mexico as host of the 2026 World Cup after soccer federations in countries including Germany, Portugal and Bolivia voiced concern about security.
The president said original plans remain in place and that there is “confidence” among organizers and participants, echoing remarks made Tuesday by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Sheinbaum also said 2026 will be “a good year” and that the World Cup will be used to promote tourism and boost the economy.