The leader of Mexico's most violent drug cartel has been killed

A 59-year-old drug lord died on Sunday while being transported to the country's capital, Mexico City. He was seriously injured during fierce fighting between his militants and the army in the city of Tapalpa (Jalisco state), the BBC reports.

Mexican Air Force planes and National Guard units were involved in the operation to eliminate him.

In response to the killing of their leader, cartel militants have unleashed terror in at least eight Mexican states. Criminals are setting cars on fire en masse, blocking roads, and attacking security forces.

In the state of Jalisco, authorities have declared a “red alert.” Public transportation has been completely shut down, and residents have been urged to stay indoors.

During the assault on the cartel's base, security forces seized armored vehicles and heavy weapons, including rocket launchers for shooting down aircraft. The United States, which had previously offered a $15 million reward for El Mencho's capture, provided Mexican law enforcement with intelligence that helped in the operation.

El Mencho created the cartel in 2010 and quickly took control of the smuggling of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States.

The cartel immediately gained a reputation as the most dangerous due to its unprecedented cruelty. CJNG militants regularly staged public executions and hung the bodies of their victims from bridges to intimidate the population and their competitors. Cartel members engaged in open combat with law enforcement officers and had previously shot down an army helicopter with a grenade launcher.

Photo: screenshot.