Payam Javan: The recent killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes has plunged parts of Mexico into a bloody frenzy, exposing the terrifying grip these criminal enterprises hold just south of our border. While the Biden administration might quietly claim a victory with U.S. intelligence support for the operation, the immediate aftermath saw at least 25 Mexican National Guard members slaughtered in a wave of retaliatory attacks across Jalisco. This isn’t a success story; it’s a stark, violent reminder of the lawlessness that threatens American sovereignty and safety every single day.
The mayhem was swift and brutal: 27 “cowardly attacks” against authorities, blockades, burning vehicles, and shootouts, creating a warzone environment. The body count tragically included a prison guard, a state prosecutor’s agent, and an unidentified woman, alongside dozens of cartel members reportedly killed. The U.S. Embassy, in an unprecedented move, was forced to tell its personnel and American citizens to “shelter in place” and work remotely across multiple Mexican states. This isn’t just a Mexican problem; when American diplomats are cowering indoors, it’s a direct threat to our national security and underscores the abject failure to secure our southern flank.
This escalating crisis is precisely what President Donald J. Trump has warned about for years. Long before the mainstream media would even acknowledge the true scope of the cartel threat, President Trump demanded that Mexico step up its fight against fentanyl smuggling and criminal organizations, famously threatening tariffs or even unilateral military action if results weren’t delivered. His administration courageously designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and other major drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations in 2025, taking decisive action where others only offered empty rhetoric. President Trump understood that these aren’t just drug dealers; they are terror groups waging war on both sides of the border.
The chaos unleashed by “El Mencho’s” death serves as a chilling testament to the existential threat posed by these cartels, not only to Mexico but directly to American communities through drug trafficking, human smuggling, and rampant violence. It’s clearer than ever that we need a strong, decisive leader who isn’t afraid to put America First and secure our borders. The time for weak policies and endless negotiations is over; only a leader with President Trump’s resolve can truly confront this menace and ensure the safety and sovereignty of our great nation.
