The Mexican Ministry of Defense contacted the head of the El Mencho cartel through his mistress.

The Mexican armed forces have located the leader of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel (CJNG), Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, by tracking the movements of his romantic partner. This was announced on February 23 by the country's Minister of National Defense, Ricardo Treviglia Trejo, at the daily press conference of the country's president, Claudia Sheinbaum.

"On February 20, as part of the military intelligence work, a confidant of one of El Mencho's romantic partners was discovered, who transported her to a facility in Tapalpa, Jalisco. At this place, she met with El Mencho, this romantic partner, and on February 21, she leaves the building. Information was received that El Mencho remained in this place," the head of the department said, and a video of his speech was posted on the YouTube channel of the newspaper El Debate.

According to him, on February 21, preparations for the operation began with the participation of special forces units of the army and the National Guard. On the night of February 22, the military moved in to detain him. The drug lord's guards opened intense fire on the security forces.

The minister noted that during the clash, El Mencho left the battlefield, leaving an armed group. As a result of the shootout on the territory of the complex, eight members of organized crime were eliminated.

According to Treviglia Trejo, the head of the cartel, along with his closest associates, tried to hide in a wooded area, but was overtaken. According to him, the criminals used rocket launchers and attacked a military helicopter, which made an emergency landing. During the battle, El Mencho and two of his guards were seriously injured.

"Helicopter support was requested, <...> so that they could be transported to a medical facility in Jalisco. El Mencho, two of his guards and a wounded officer are being transported. Unfortunately, he is dying on the way," the minister concluded.

The news is being updated