Mexico City – A meeting between President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson concluded at Palacio Nacional after more than an hour, following the recent operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The meeting, which began at 12:44 PM local time, included Secretary of National Defense General Ricardo Trevilla, Secretary of the Navy Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales, Secretary of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez, and Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar García Harfuch.
The encounter took place two days after Mexican authorities carried out the operation that led to Oseguera’s death, a significant development in the country’s fight against organized crime. The U.S. Government had offered a reward of $15 million for information leading to Oseguera’s capture, recognizing his role as a major threat to both Mexican and U.S. Security interests, according to information released by the U.S. Embassy.
Ambassador Johnson arrived at Palacio Nacional in a Suburban armored vehicle, accompanied by a security detail of at least ten vehicles comprised of National Guard personnel and Mexico City police. He departed in the same vehicle, followed by additional security vehicles and National Guard units.
Prior to the meeting, Ambassador Johnson publicly acknowledged the Mexican government’s success in neutralizing Oseguera. In a statement posted on social media, Johnson stated, “I recognize the courage and swift action of the Mexican authorities before, during and after the operation against the CJNG,” adding that the operation represented “a major blow against one of the most violent criminal organizations that harms our communities.” He further affirmed U.S. Support for Mexico as a sovereign partner in combating drug trafficking and emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable.
The meeting between Sheinbaum and Johnson represents the second formal encounter between the two since Johnson presented his credentials to the President in May. The timing of this meeting, so soon after the death of “El Mencho,” underscores the importance the U.S. Government places on continued cooperation with Mexico in addressing transnational criminal organizations.
Following the operation, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico updated its security recommendations for American citizens in various regions of the country, noting that public transportation and businesses were returning to normal operations. The embassy’s statement did not detail specific threats but acknowledged the disruption caused by the security operation.
