“It’s All Staged!” - Top Cartel Journalist Exposes El Mencho’s Assassination - Kat Szulc (Video)

In this 6 March 2026 published video, host Julian Dorey talks with Katarina Szulc, a Mexico-based freelance journalist focused on reporting about Cartel Activity.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, famously known as ”El Mencho”, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed by Mexican security forces on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The raid took place in a compound in the mountain town of Tapalpa, located in the western state of Jalisco. Mexican special forces, supported by the Air Force and National Guard, tracked him to the location using intelligence provided by the United States. Reports indicate his location was compromised due to a meeting with a romantic partner. El Mencho was seriously wounded during the fierce gunfight with military personnel. He died while being transported via military helicopter to Mexico City for medical attention. El Mencho was reportedly buried in a golden casket at a cemetery in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara.

His death triggered a massive wave of violence across at least 20 Mexican states. Cartel members torched businesses, set vehicles on fire, and erected burning blockades in major cities like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. At least 73 people died in the initial unrest following the operation, including eight of El Mencho’s bodyguards and several members of the Mexican National Guard. El Mencho. 

The operation is considered a major victory for the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum and a key result shown to the Trump administration, which had pressured Mexico to act against fentanyl traffickers. Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Security Minister, is credited with spearheading the muscular approach that led to the take-down.

https://youtu.be/zomfFgNvOis

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro
00:37 – El Mencho Compound, Tapalpa Jalisco, National Guard Raid, La Diabla Scandal
09:04 – CJNG History, Rise of El Mencho, Los Cuinis Funding
19:18 – Cartel Expansion Strategy, Regional Alliances, El Tuli Killing
31:35 – Rosalinda Release, Cuinis Government Nexus, Cartel Families
40:02 – Compound Aftermath, Kingpin Strategy Failure, Suspicious Operation
49:32 – No Escape Route, Strange Evidence, Bullet Casings Mystery
01:00:43 – What Happened to Mencho?, Death Theories, Closed Casket
01:13:54 – Mexico–US Backdoor Deal?, Sheinbaum Policy Debate
01:26:02 – Mencho Death Rumors, Cartel Surveillance, Kat Tracked
01:34:53 – Media Narrative, Epstein Files Mention, CJNG Succession
01:42:45 – El Mayo Situation, Chapitos Allegations
01:54:50 – Compound Oddities, Missing Women Photos, Trafficking Evidence
02:08:12 – Border Trafficking, Drug Flow, Ryan Wedding Arrest
02:17:47 – Ryan Wedding Case, Government Pressure, Kash Patel Criticism
02:27:47 – Cocaine Lawyer, Cartel Networks, Colombia Fighters
02:38:46 – Ukraine War Cartel Nexus, Latin American Fighters
02:50:47 – Cartels & Global Conflict, POW Interviews, Ukraine War
02:59:04 – Kat’s Work