El Mencho's family has held a funeral for the Mexican drug lord, placing his body in a golden coffin and burying him amid a large crowd of attendees and strict security.
Foreign news agencies reported that the family of El Mencho, whose real name was Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the infamous drug kingpin killed by the Mexican army in late February, conducted his funeral on Monday (2 Mar 2026), placing his body in a golden coffin.
El Mencho, who was 59 years old at the time of his death, was the founder of the "Jalisco New Generation" (CJNG) gang, one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico. He was among Mexico’s most wanted individuals, with the U.S. offering a reward of up to 15 million U.S. dollars for his capture.
El Mencho's death triggered widespread unrest by his cartel members, who set vehicles on fire and blocked roads across 20 states throughout Mexico.
The National Guard forces deployed strict joint operations to prevent new violence during El Mencho's funeral held near Guadalajara city in Jalisco state, the CJNG's stronghold.
Reports stated that before the funeral began, large wreaths and flowers were transported to the venue, including one shaped like a "gamecock," symbolizing El Mencho's personal interest in cockfighting.
AFP reported that five trucks were needed to transport all the funeral flowers to the cemetery, most sent anonymously. The funeral procession was accompanied by music played in the "Ranchero" and "Narcocorridos" styles, songs that glorify drug lords.
Local media reported that the folk song "El Muchacho Alegre" (The Cheerful Young Man) was played as El Mencho's golden coffin arrived at the church within the cemetery. After the ceremony, many masked attendees followed the coffin as it was moved to the burial site.
Mexican media noted that El Mencho's grave appeared simple compared to other drug lords' graves, which are often large and lavish mausoleums.
Under El Mencho’s leadership, the CJNG cartel grew into a powerful transnational criminal organization, expanding its control from its Jalisco base to several other Mexican states, involving drug production and trafficking.
The killing of Oseguera by Mexican special forces was seen as a significant victory for President Claudia Sheinbaum's government, which faces increasing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to intensify anti-drug trafficking operations.
However, there are concerns that the power vacuum following El Mencho's death could lead to a surge in violence in the short term, as various factions within the organization, reportedly numbering tens of thousands of members, may fight for control.
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Source:bbc