The downfall of Mexico's most wanted criminal mastermind traced back to a moment of personal vulnerability. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious "El Mencho" who built the Jalisco Cartel - New Generation (CJNG) into a transnational empire, was located after a monitored romantic rendezvous in the mountains of Jalisco.
According to General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Mexico's Secretary of National Defense, the operation began with surveillance of a trusted courier linked to one of El Mencho's romantic partners. On February 20, intelligence operatives observed this individual traveling to a remote cabin facility in Tapalpa, Jalisco, a mountain town offering seclusion for the fugitive.
The courier delivered the woman for a clandestine meeting with the kingpin. "On February 21, they departed, and we obtained information that El Mencho would remain at that location, protected by his inner security circle," General Trevilla Trejo explained.
This breakthrough represented years of investigative work. Despite El Mencho's extreme operational security—encrypted communications, decoy convoys, corrupt officials—his personal relationships created a vulnerability authorities exploited.
The Woman at the Center: Guadalupe Moreno Carrillo
The partner's identity emerged through the Guacamaya Leaks—a 2022 hack of Mexico's Secretary of National Defense (Sedena). The leaks identified Guadalupe Moreno Carrillo as a person of interest in the intelligence network surrounding the CJNG leader.
While officials haven't confirmed Moreno Carrillo was at the Tapalpa meeting, hacked military reports portray her as a member of El Mencho's intimate circle. Her prominence increased after the November 2021 arrest of his wife, Rosalinda González Valencia, on money laundering charges.
The intelligence suggests Moreno Carrillo's relationship with Oseguera Cervantes developed after his wife's second incarceration. Her background remains largely opaque, with no verified criminal record beyond the leaks. She appeared in several intelligence briefings on CJNG's structure, yet the documents omit specific operational roles, fueling speculation about whether she was an active participant or simply a companion entangled through association.
The Confrontation in Tapalpa
On February 22, Mexican special forces executed a ground operation against the cabin complex. As troops closed in, El Mencho and his security detail fled toward the adjacent forest.
"The facility is on Tapalpa's outskirts, bordering dense woods," General Trevilla Trejo described. "El Mencho retreated into that forest. Our special forces established a perimeter and pursued them."
The pursuit escalated when fugitives opened fire. Military personnel responded, striking El Mencho and two escorts. Two additional suspects were captured, providing potential intelligence.
Military medical teams assessed the injured and determined evacuation was necessary. "Their conditions were extremely critical," the General reported.
El Mencho died en route from his injuries. His body was transferred to Mexico City for identification, ending one of Mexico's most intensive manhunts.
The Guacamaya Leaks Factor
The Guacamaya Leaks played a crucial role in exposing Moreno Carrillo. The hacked Sedena documents revealed she was under surveillance as part of mapping CJNG's leadership. However, the files lack detail about her specific functions, suggesting analysts were still developing their understanding of her role.
Her case exemplifies a trend in Mexican law enforcement: targeting family and associates to penetrate cartel inner circles. While effective, this strategy raises ethical and legal questions about surveillance proportionality and the rights of those guilty only by association.
Strategic Implications for CJNG
El Mencho's death is a significant blow to the CJNG, which he built into one of Mexico's most powerful cartels with global operations. However, its decentralized structure may prove resilient. Analysts caution that succession plans likely exist, and power struggles could increase violence.
The method used to locate El Mencho—exploiting his romantic relationship—demonstrates enhanced intelligence capabilities. This success may establish a template for future operations, though it highlights invasive surveillance methods and raises privacy concerns.
Unresolved Questions
Several aspects remain unclear. Authorities haven't definitively confirmed Moreno Carrillo's presence at the meeting, leaving open whether another partner was involved. Her current legal status is unknown—has she been detained? Is she cooperating?
The lack of a comprehensive profile underscores challenges facing Mexican intelligence. Distinguishing between active criminals and peripheral associates requires extensive resources and involves murky legal territory. Her case illustrates how personal relationships create complex networks that defy simple categorization.
The ethical dimensions of targeting romantic partners remain largely unexplored. While effective, such tactics raise fundamental questions about privacy rights and collateral damage to individuals with limited agency.
Conclusion: A New Chapter
The tracking and death of El Mencho through his romantic connection marks a watershed moment in Mexico's battle against organized crime. It demonstrates that even the most security-conscious criminals cannot isolate themselves, and personal relationships can become exploitable weaknesses.
As authorities analyze intelligence from this operation and the Guacamaya Leaks, the full story of figures like Moreno Carrillo will likely emerge. Her narrative illustrates how personal bonds in the criminal underworld transform into professional liabilities.
The operation's methodology may influence future counter-narcotics strategies, intensifying debate over surveillance ethics and civil liberties. As Mexico confronts cartel violence, balancing effective law enforcement with constitutional rights remains urgent.
El Mencho's death closes a significant CJNG chapter, but the organization's future remains uncertain. What is clear is that cartel leaders' personal lives will continue to be a focal point for intelligence operations.