MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Keeping tabs on the cartel leader's romantic partner helped Mexican armed forces zero in on the notorious "El Mencho", leading to his capture and killing on February 22, authorities said.

Mexico's Defense Secretary, General Ricardo Trevilla, said that Mexican special forces carried out an operation using intelligence from the United States. The mission ended when they found Oseguera Cervantes hiding in "thick undergrowth" in his home state of Jalisco.

After several gun battles, eight gunmen were killed. The drug lord and two of his bodyguards were injured, arrested, and taken into custody. They later died while being flown to Mexico City. In total, more than 70 people were killed in the operation and the violence that followed, including security forces, suspected cartel members, and others.

Mexican authorities said that both Mexico and the United States had spent years tracking "El Mencho," who faced many arrest warrants for organized crime and drug trafficking in both countries.

This time, their intelligence work succeeded. Military investigators tracked a close associate of one of Oseguera's romantic partners. The associate took the woman to Tapalpa, Jalisco, on February 20 to meet him. U.S. intelligence provided important additional information that helped confirm his exact location.

After the woman left the next morning, special forces confirmed that "El Mencho" was staying in the area with security guards and finalized their plan.

The Mexican army and National Guard surrounded the area on the ground. Six helicopters and additional special forces were waiting in nearby states. The Mexican Air Force also provided aircraft and surveillance support. Early on the morning of February 22, once his presence was confirmed, the operation began. President Claudia Sheinbaum was kept informed throughout the mission while traveling in northern Mexico.

General Trevilla said the criminals responded with extreme violence. During the fight, "El Mencho" tried to escape with two bodyguards, while other heavily armed men stayed behind to slow down the military. Eight gunmen were killed at the scene — four more than first reported.

Authorities seized many weapons, including two rocket launchers. One was the same type used by the CJNG in 2015 to shoot down a military helicopter, showing the cartel was ready to fight with deadly force.

Oseguera Cervantes tried to hide in a wooded area with cabins near Tapalpa. Although the group had rocket launchers, they were unable to use them. Special forces eventually found him hiding in the bushes, leading to another intense clash that left him and his two bodyguards wounded.

During the fighting, a military helicopter had to make an emergency landing after being hit by gunfire. Two people were arrested at the scene, and three soldiers were injured.

After securing the area, authorities put the wounded cartel leader and his bodyguards on a helicopter to take them to a nearby hospital. However, they died during the flight because they were already in critical condition.

To prevent possible retaliation from the cartel, officials changed the flight plan. Instead of landing in Jalisco's capital, the bodies were flown directly to Mexico City.