Mexican President Sheinbaum Says Prosecutor's Office Must Explain Media Access to El Mencho's Hideout

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was questioned during her Tuesday morning press conference about media access to the home where Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," longtime leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, was killed.

When asked why members of the media were allowed to enter such a high-level scene, Sheinbaum said that explanation must come from prosecutors, similar to the case involving the infamous Izaguirre Ranch in Jalisco, where young people were allegedly trained after being forcibly recruited by the CJNG.

"The Prosecutor's Office has to explain it. As you know, it was an operation carried out by the Ministry of National Defense, and the Attorney General's Office immediately took over. They have to answer this question. They are the ones responsible for securing the scene and they must explain to everyone why entry was allowed," Sheinbaum said.

As reported by Mexican media, El Mencho spent his final hours alive in a luxury cabin in a tourist area of Tapalpa, Jalisco. Reports indicate he spent the night of Feb. 21 with a romantic partner at a country club located in a wooded area.

After the operation, journalists and photographers were granted access to the property, where they found a cabin equipped with a kitchen, recreational areas and multiple bedrooms with high end finishes and furniture. Media reports said there were enough provisions to remain there for several days, suggesting El Mencho used the hideout regularly.

As noted by BBC World, the U.S. Treasury Department had previously sanctioned several establishments, including cabin complexes in Tapalpa, for their alleged ties to the cartel led by "El Señor de los Gallos." However, the town's mayor and local residents told the press this week they were unaware that El Mencho had been staying there.

The Los Angeles Times also reported that the drug lord was unable to remain constantly on the move to evade law enforcement because he had late stage kidney disease. As a result, he required daily dialysis, limiting his mobility compared to other high profile fugitives.

During the Feb. 22 operation, El Mencho attempted to flee, leaving a group of operatives behind to slow advancing government forces. He reached a nearby wooded area, but security forces cornered and wounded him. He was loaded onto a helicopter bound for Mexico City but died during the flight.

This week, a death certificate confirmed that El Mencho died of thoracic, abdominal and lower extremity trauma caused by gunshot wounds. The document states that the official time of death was recorded at 10:30 a.m. while he was being transported to a hospital for treatment.