BREAKING: US played role in death of top Mexican cartel head: Mexican dept of defense

The United States has reportedly played a role in the Mexican military operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

On Sunday, Oseguera Cervantes, who led one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal gangs and was a rival to the Sinaloa Cartel, was killed in the operation. The US State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest. 

In a press release, Mexico's Ministry of National Defense stated that for the execution of its operation, "complementary information was obtained from authorities" in the US.

"This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys," US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said after news of the cartel leader’s death.

His death has set off a series of attacks in Mexico by narco gangs. Reports indicate that the town of Puerto Vallarta has been under siege, with smoke rising from the streets as vehicles were burned by cartels.

Video posted on social media showed Canadians sheltering in a hotel in Puerto Vallarta, with the area surrounding them engulfed in flames and smoke. WesJet and Air Canada flights have reportedly been cancelled.