Rocket launchers seized in El Mencho raid highlight CJNG firepower

Mexican forces seized rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft in the operation Sunday that killed cartel leader Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” highlighting how Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has amassed military-style firepower over the years.

Authorities have previously linked CJNG to a 2015 attack in Jalisco in which cartel gunmen used rocket-propelled grenades to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter — one of the most striking examples of a cartel directly engaging federal forces with military-grade weapons.

The assault marked a turning point in how Mexican authorities viewed the group’s capabilities.

During Sunday’s raid, officials said security forces came under attack and responded, deploying aircraft and specialized units to carry out the operation. Authorities said troops seized armored vehicles and heavy weapons, equipment more commonly associated with armed conflict than routine law enforcement.

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Ruben “Nemesio” Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was killed Sunday during a Mexican operation in Jalisco. (Drug Control Administration)

Mexican special forces, with air support from Air Force and National Guard rapid reaction units, participated in the mission, underscoring the scale of force required to take on the cartel’s top leaders.

Former U.S. officials have described CJNG as acting more like a paramilitary organization than a traditional trafficking network, using coordinated roadblocks, armed convoys and structured law enforcement to assert control in contested regions.

In a previous article, former Drug Enforcement Administration officials said the group commanded large numbers of gunmen and organized itself so that it could deploy its forces quickly and visibly.

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CJNG is known for its paramilitary style operations and structure. (Eduardo Verdugo, AP file/photo)

CJNG tactics have included seizing vehicles and staging coordinated attacks in urban areas to demonstrate its strength and deter rivals or security forces.

Over time, such protests have cemented its reputation as Mexico’s most heavily armed criminal organization.

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Smoke rises into the sky over Puerto Vallarta during an operation targeting cartel activities, February 22, 2026. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)

The State Department issued a travel alert Sunday urging Americans living in several Mexican states to shelter in place due to “ongoing security operations, roadblocks and resulting criminal activity,” reflecting the instability that can follow major confrontations with cartels.

In recent years, Mexican authorities have increasingly relied on military forces — rather than local police — to confront top cartel leaders, as groups like CJNG expanded their reach and arsenal.

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The raid that killed “El Mencho” not only marked the removal of a powerful drug lord, but also another example of how heavily armed cartels can challenge state forces in direct confrontations.