Drug Czar Sara Carter traveled to Mexico this week following the military operation that killed Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho.”
The trip marks Carter’s first international visit as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and focuses on strengthening U.S.–Mexico coordination to dismantle cartel networks.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Mexican military forces killed Oseguera Cervantes on February 22 during a coordinated operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The strike triggered cartel retaliation across western Mexico, including vehicle burnings, highway blockades, airport disruptions, and shelter-in-place alerts for U.S. citizens.
Carter met with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson and members of Mexico’s Security Cabinet, including Omar Hamid García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico.
In a February 26 statement, Carter commended the Mexican government’s actions.
“The Mexican government is demonstrating a sincere ongoing commitment to the shared counternarcotics cause which has plagued both of our nations for decades,” Carter said.
“Defeating the cartels is an ongoing mutual effort necessary for the safety and security of both our nations.”
Carter also offered condolences to General Ricardo Trevilla, Mexico’s Secretary of Defense, following casualties during the operation. According to the ONDCP release, 33 Mexican National Guardsmen and three special operations members were killed.
The White House said the visit reinforces ongoing efforts to disrupt narcotics supply chains and dismantle transnational criminal organizations responsible for trafficking fentanyl and other synthetic drugs into the United States.
CJNG ranks among Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations. U.S. authorities have identified the cartel as a primary source of fentanyl entering the United States.
The visit comes amid heightened scrutiny of cartel activity after days of violence disrupted tourist hubs, stranded American travelers, and prompted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to surge state law enforcement resources to the southern border, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Officials say security conditions in affected regions have stabilized. U.S. and Mexican leaders signaled that coordination against cartel networks will continue.
Drug Czar Sara Carter traveled to Mexico this week following the military operation that killed Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho.”
The visit marks Carter’s first international trip as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and centers on strengthening bilateral cooperation to dismantle cartel networks.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Mexican military forces killed Oseguera Cervantes on February 22 during a coordinated operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The operation triggered widespread cartel retaliation across western Mexico, including vehicle burnings, road blockades, airport disruptions, and shelter-in-place alerts for U.S. citizens.
Carter met with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson and members of Mexico’s Security Cabinet, including Omar Hamid García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico.
In a statement released February 26, Carter praised the Mexican government’s actions.
“The Mexican government is demonstrating a sincere ongoing commitment to the shared counternarcotics cause which has plagued both of our nations for decades,” Carter said.
“Defeating the cartels is an ongoing mutual effort necessary for the safety and security of both our nations.”
Carter also offered condolences to General Ricardo Trevilla, Mexico’s Secretary of Defense, following reported casualties during the operation. According to the ONDCP release, 33 Mexican National Guardsmen and three special operations members were killed.
The White House described the visit as part of continued coordination aimed at disrupting narcotics supply chains and dismantling transnational criminal organizations responsible for trafficking fentanyl and other synthetic drugs into the United States.
CJNG has long ranked among Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations. U.S. authorities have identified the cartel as a primary source of fentanyl entering the United States.
The visit comes amid heightened attention to cartel activity following days of violence that impacted popular tourist destinations, stranded American travelers, and prompted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to surge state law enforcement resources to the southern border, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Officials say security conditions in affected regions have stabilized. U.S. and Mexican officials signaled that coordination efforts against cartel networks will continue.
