Mexican authorities have confirmed that the country's military has killed the leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel.
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", was shot during a clash with government soldiers in Tapalpa, Jalisco, and died while being flown to the capital, Mexico City, the military said in a statement.
The operation was reportedly carried out with help from intelligence provided by the United States. It reportedly killed six other cartel members and injured three government soldiers.
Gunmen retaliated for the raid by blocking more than 20 roads in Jalisco with burning vehicles. Violence then spread to other states.
“El Mencho” led one of Mexico's most powerful crime syndicates and was for several years one of the most wanted cartel leaders in the world.
The United States had offered a reward of up to $15 million, equivalent to around 136 million kronor, for information leading to the arrest of "El Mencho".
In February, the United States classified the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
