Mexican army forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation Sunday in the western state of Jalisco, the country’s Secretariat of National Defense confirmed.
El Mencho Dead: Who Killed Mexico’s Drug Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’?
The death of one of the world’s most wanted drug lords represents a significant victory for Mexican authorities and comes as the government faces intense pressure from the United States to curb the flow of fentanyl and other drugs across the border. Oseguera Cervantes, 59, died from wounds sustained in the predawn raid after he and two other injured cartel members were airlifted toward Mexico City for medical treatment.
The operation unfolded in the town of Tapalpa, roughly two hours southwest of Guadalajara, where troops attempting to capture El Mencho came under heavy gunfire from cartel gunmen. Four CJNG members were killed at the scene, according to the Defense Ministry. Three soldiers were wounded and are receiving care. Authorities recovered armored vehicles, high-powered weapons including rocket launchers, and other military-grade equipment.
A federal official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, described the mission as an arrest attempt that escalated into a deadly firefight. The ministry’s statement on social media platform X detailed that Oseguera Cervantes was gravely injured during the exchange and succumbed en route to the capital.
El Mencho, born in Aguililla, Michoacán, rose from a former police officer to found and lead the CJNG around 2009. The cartel has since become one of Mexico’s most dominant and violent organizations, controlling vast territories for fentanyl production and trafficking, methamphetamine manufacturing, cocaine distribution, extortion rackets and fuel theft. Its aggressive expansion and brutal tactics, including public displays of mutilated bodies and attacks on security forces, made it a primary target for both Mexican and U.S. law enforcement.
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The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture or conviction, labeling the CJNG a foreign terrorist organization. El Mencho had evaded authorities for more than a decade, with repeated rumors of his death or serious illness proving unfounded until Sunday’s confirmation.
The killing triggered immediate retaliatory violence across Jalisco and neighboring areas. Cartel gunmen set up roadblocks using burning vehicles, clashed with security forces and targeted public infrastructure in cities including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Reports emerged of shootouts, forced closures and shelter-in-place advisories as chaos spread.
The unrest severely disrupted air travel to the popular tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta. Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport suspended operations Sunday afternoon due to blocked access roads and nearby security incidents. Several international carriers, including Air Canada, United Airlines and WestJet, canceled or diverted flights to the destination, citing the ongoing situation. Other airlines monitored developments closely, with some advising passengers to avoid travel to the region.
Canada updated its travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential trips to parts of Jalisco, while the U.S. Embassy in Mexico warned American citizens there to shelter in place, limit movement and follow local media for updates. Puerto Vallarta, which attracts millions of visitors annually from North America, has generally avoided the worst of cartel violence in recent years despite being in CJNG territory, making the sudden disruptions particularly alarming for the tourism-dependent economy.
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U.S. officials quickly praised the operation. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described it as a “great development” on social media, calling El Mencho “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.” The takedown aligns with heightened U.S.-Mexico cooperation amid threats from the Trump administration to conduct unilateral actions inside Mexico if drug trafficking persists unchecked.
Analysts caution that El Mencho’s death may not dismantle the CJNG entirely. The cartel has shown resilience in the past, with potential successors including family members and high-ranking lieutenants likely to compete for control. His son, Rubén Oseguera González (“El Menchito”), was extradited to the United States in 2020 and remains in custody facing drug charges.
“This is a decapitation strike on par with El Chapo’s capture, but history shows these groups often splinter or reorganize rather than collapse,” said a security analyst familiar with Mexican organized crime, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic. “Short-term violence is almost certain as factions vie for power.”
The Mexican government has not released details on forensic identification or next steps, though multiple independent sources, including international media outlets and the Defense Ministry, corroborated the death. Federal reinforcements have been deployed to restore order in Jalisco, with authorities urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and report suspicious activity.
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El Mencho’s elimination arrives more than 15 years into Mexico’s drug war, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and left powerful criminal enterprises controlling significant swaths of territory. While the operation provides a high-profile win for President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration — often criticized for its “hugs, not bullets” philosophy — experts stress that addressing underlying issues like poverty, corruption and demand for drugs remains essential to lasting progress.
As investigations continue and violence simmers in western Mexico, the focus shifts to how the CJNG evolves without its founder and whether this strike meaningfully disrupts the flow of deadly narcotics into the United States.
Palantir Technologies Inc. shares fell modestly Wednesday, closing at $152.77, down $2.31 or 1.49%, as investors locked in gains following a strong rally earlier in the month. The pullback came on elevated volume of about 32.3 million shares, reflecting typical profit-taking in a high-momentum AI stock amid broader market caution over valuations and macroeconomic uncertainties.
Palantir
The Denver-based data analytics and AI platform provider opened at $154.95, ranged from a low of $152.61 to a high of $156.69, and finished with a market capitalization near $371 billion. Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR) remains well above its 52-week low of $66.12 hit in April 2025 but sits below its November 2025 peak of $207.52. Year-to-date through March 18, 2026, PLTR is down roughly 13%, underperforming the Nasdaq Composite’s modest gains amid sector rotation and renewed tariff concerns.
The latest dip follows a series of bullish developments that have kept Wall Street optimistic. UBS raised its price target to $200 from $180 earlier this week, maintaining a Buy rating and citing Palantir’s accelerating AI adoption and defense sector tailwinds. Wedbush’s Dan Ives highlighted recent AI partnerships as key growth catalysts, while other firms including Rosenblatt and Daiwa issued or reiterated positive calls.
Consensus among roughly 28 analysts stands at Moderate Buy, with an average 12-month target around $188, implying about 23% upside from Wednesday’s close. High-end forecasts reach $260, reflecting confidence in Palantir’s unique position in enterprise AI and government contracts.
The momentum traces back to Palantir’s blockbuster fourth-quarter 2025 earnings released Feb. 2, 2026. Revenue surged 70% year-over-year to $1.41 billion, beating estimates, driven by explosive U.S. commercial growth of 137%. Adjusted operating income and free cash flow also exceeded expectations. Management issued aggressive full-year 2026 guidance: revenue of $7.182 billion to $7.198 billion (61% growth), U.S. commercial revenue exceeding $3.144 billion (at least 115% growth), adjusted operating income of $4.126 billion to $4.142 billion, and adjusted free cash flow of $3.925 billion to $4.125 billion.
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The outlook crushed consensus estimates, which had hovered around $6.27 billion for revenue, and underscored Palantir’s “Rule of 40” score hitting a record 127%—a metric combining growth and profitability that few software peers approach.
CEO Alex Karp emphasized the company’s focus on scaling AI models through its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), describing it as “commodity cognition” that differentiates Palantir in a crowded field. The platform’s ontological framework enables rapid deployment of AI across complex datasets, appealing to both commercial enterprises and government agencies.
Recent partnerships have reinforced that narrative. Palantir expanded collaborations with GE Aerospace for military aircraft readiness, Ondas and World View for multi-domain intelligence, Nvidia for sovereign AI operating system architecture, Centrus Energy for uranium enrichment, and LG CNS in a strategic tie-up. AIG partnered with Palantir to build an ontology for its McGill and Partners portfolio, while Polymarket tapped the company to combat betting cheats.
Defense exposure remains a cornerstone. Palantir benefits from a $10 billion U.S. Army framework agreement and a $448 million Navy ShipOS deal, positioning it to capitalize on rising military spending amid geopolitical tensions. The U.S. Army’s recent $20 billion Anduril deal highlighted upside for defense tech players like Palantir and Lockheed Martin.
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Commercial momentum is equally compelling. U.S. commercial revenue growth has consistently outpaced overall figures, fueled by AIP adoption in industries from energy to finance. Backlog stood at approximately $4.4 billion post-earnings, providing visibility into future quarters.
Yet challenges persist. Palantir trades at a lofty valuation—around 242 times trailing earnings and high multiples on forward metrics—prompting some analysts to question sustainability. A March 16 note flagged bearish views on the 460% five-year surge, citing potential overvaluation risks. Broader tech sector pressures, including tariff uncertainty under the current administration and AI disruption fears, have contributed to the stock’s sideways-to-down action in early 2026.
Technical indicators show mixed signals. The stock hovers below its 50-day and 100-day moving averages but above shorter-term ones, with RSI in neutral territory suggesting room for recovery without immediate overbought conditions.
Investors continue monitoring upcoming catalysts. First-quarter 2026 results, expected in early May, will test guidance execution, with management projecting revenue of $1.532 billion to $1.536 billion and adjusted operating income of $870 million to $874 million. Any commentary on AIP deal flow or additional government wins could reignite momentum.
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Palantir’s evolution from a secretive government contractor—founded in 2003 with CIA backing—to a leading enterprise AI player has been dramatic. Once criticized for opaque accounting and high insider sales, the company achieved consistent profitability and commercial scale in recent years, attracting institutional interest and retail enthusiasm.
As AI hype cycles evolve, Palantir stands out for its practical, ontology-driven approach rather than pure generative models. While competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic dominate headlines, Palantir’s focus on secure, large-scale data integration positions it uniquely for regulated sectors.
Whether the current dip proves a buying opportunity or signals broader caution depends on macro trends and execution. For now, Wall Street’s upgrades and partnership news sustain a constructive outlook, even as near-term volatility lingers.
Palantir shares traded slightly lower in after-hours, around $152.30, ahead of Thursday’s open. Broader markets remain focused on economic data and tech earnings season.
The City of Busselton has lodged an appeal with the state’s environmental watchdog, challenging the approval of a $280 million resort planned for Smiths Beach.
Zalando SE (ZLNDY) Q4 2025 Press Conference Call March 12, 2026 4:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Simon Thiel – Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs Patrick Kofler – Head of Investor Relations David Schröder – Co-CEO & Member of the Management Board Robert Gentz – Co-Founder, Co-CEO, GM & Member of the Management Board Anna Dimitrova – CFO & Member of Management Board
Conference Call Participants
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Jason Gowans – Levi Strauss & Co. Frederick Wild – Jefferies LLC, Research Division Luke Holbrook – Morgan Stanley, Research Division Joffrey Meller – BofA Securities, Research Division Monique Pollard – Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Simon Thiel Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs
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Good morning. Welcome to Zalando’s Annual Press Conference and Business Update. My name is Simon Thiel, and I’m heading Corporate Affairs. I wanted to say thank you for joining us today. We will be presenting our full year results 2025 and sharing our plans for the future, and we’re delighted to have so many of you joining our broadcast today.
Patrick Kofler Head of Investor Relations
Good morning also from my side. My name is Patrick Kofler, and I’m heading the Investor Relations department. We have gathered the press, investors and analysts for today’s event. It’s a pleasure to have you all here.
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Simon Thiel Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs
We will start our conference with a prerecorded presentation by our co-CEOs, Robert Gentz and David Schroder. They will walk you through our progress as we’re successfully executing our strategy. At 9:45 a.m. CET, following the presentation, we will open the virtual floor to a live Q&A session for our journalists with our co-CEOs, Robert and David, and our new CFO, Anna Dimitrova.
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Patrick Kofler Head of Investor Relations
For our investors and analysts, at 9:45 a.m. CET, our CFO, Anna Dimitrova, will walk you through the financial development of the last year and
Stocks rose for a second day in a row—and they didn’t even need oil prices to fall this time around.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 47 points, or 0.1%. The S&P 500 was up 0.3%. The Nasdaq Composite was up 0.5%. The major indexes all rose together for a second day in a row for the first time since Feb. 24 and 25, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
Futures tracking the S&P 500 and Dow were both lower before reversing as oil prices pulled back from their overnight highs. At one point the Dow was up 1%, but stocks pulled back from their highs this afternoon as West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures gained 2.9% to $96.21 a barrel.
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