It was perhaps the ultimate irony that the Mexican Army and National Guard — the very forces that had hunted Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” for years — were deployed in large numbers to ensure his final send-off took place without a hitch.
Federal authorities had delivered the body of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader to his family six days after the military operation in which he met his end. His death certificate confirmed that his body was riddled with bullets, inflicted during a standoff with federal forces in the woods of Tapalpa on February 22.
The day began early on Monday, March 2, at the modest Funeraria La Paz on Calle Gigantes, in Guadalajara’s eastern Sector Libertad. The security presence was massive. Helicopters hovered overhead, armored vehicles blocked off streets, and soldiers checked all vehicles entering the area — even those of local residents. Federal and state authorities seemed determined that the funeral would be incident-free, while also deterring potential actions by rival criminal groups.
Outside the funeral home, soldiers watched impassively as the tributes and mourners began to arrive. Flowers came by the truckload — more than 500 wreaths, according to one report. One arrangement stood out: a colossal sculpture of red flowers shaped into a fighting rooster, the symbol of his cartel.
Most wreaths lacked messages of condolence that could identify the sender. Funeral home staff quickly tore off any that were attached, before photographers could capture any names written on them.
Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.