CIA Intel Unveils Location of ‘El Mencho,’ Leading to His Death

By Sam Barron | Monday, February 23, 2026 at 9:18 p.m. EST

The Central Intelligence Agency provided Mexico with intelligence on the location of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” which led to his killing Sunday.

A U.S. official confirmed Mexican authorities tracked Oseguera Cervantes through one of his romantic partners. General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Mexico’s secretary of defense, stated an elite intelligence unit within the Mexican army assisted in locating the leader.

Trevilla acknowledged Mexican officials used “complementary information” from U.S. agencies to track Oseguera Cervantes. One source indicated the CIA was “instrumental in removing” him following heightened U.S.-Mexico intelligence sharing and pressure on Mexico to act.

Under former President Joe Biden, the CIA initiated covert drone flights over Mexico targeting fentanyl production labs and cartel leaders. These operations have been expanded under the current administration, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe urging agents to recruit additional informants.

A Mexican official noted the cooperation demonstrated Mexico’s ability to quickly respond to U.S. intelligence information, aligning with ongoing efforts by U.S. officials to coordinate joint raids against cartel leaders and labs. The raid follows a month after U.S. Northern Command established a task force focused on counteracting drug cartels, which includes 300 military and civilian personnel from U.S. intelligence agencies and law enforcement.