Church in Mexico: Pray for peace as cartel reacts after military kills its leader

The Mexican Bishops’ Conference called on the faithful to intensify their prayers for peace in the country and to reinforce security measures following the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” the top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG, by its Spanish acronym).

Military forces were deployed on Feb. 22 to the town of Tapalpa in the state of Jalisco with the objective of capturing Oseguera.

“During this operation, military personnel were attacked, and in self-defense they repelled the aggression, resulting in the deaths of four members of the CJNG crime gang at the scene. Three others who were seriously wounded died during their air transport to Mexico City; among them was Ruben ‘N,’ alias Mencho,” the Mexican government stated.

Following the operation, the Mexican cartel reacted by setting vehicles on fire on several highways to block the entry of law enforcement. According to the newspaper Milenio, this occurred in the states of Jalisco, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Colima, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Veracruz, and Guerrero.

In a statement, the bishops expressed their solidarity with the people “amid the episodes of violence occurring in various regions of our country, in response to the operation against the leader of a crime gang.”

“We urge you, in a pastoral and fraternal spirit, to reinforce personal and community security measures, to stay in your homes when necessary, and to avoid unnecessary travel, always following the instructions of civil authorities,” they stated.

The bishops also invited Mexicans to continue praying for peace in the country, which they entrusted “to the maternal intercession of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of Peace, so that she may cover us with her mantle, protect our families, and help us to build paths of justice, peace, and hope.”

“May the Lord strengthen us and grant us to live through these moments united, with prudence, solidarity, and faith,” the bishops stated.

According to the Mexican government, the operation, “in addition to the work of central military intelligence, within the framework of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the United States, relied on supplementary information from authorities in that country.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.