A tip linked to the romantic relationships of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lord led authorities to his hideout, culminating in a deadly military operation that killed Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” officials said.

Oseguera, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was located in a compound in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco state after intelligence from a confidante of one of his romantic partners helped pinpoint his whereabouts. Mexican authorities said the information allowed them to plan and execute a raid within a day.

The operation early Sunday left at least 62 people dead, including 25 members of the National Guard and 34 suspected gang members. Oseguera was injured during the clash and later died while being transported by helicopter to Mexico City, alongside two of his bodyguards.

Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla said security forces came under heavy fire during the raid, which began in a wooded area and moved into a nearby cabin complex. Authorities recovered rifles equipped with grenade launchers, as well as rocket launchers and mortar shells at the scene.

The killing of Oseguera triggered a swift and violent backlash. Cartel loyalists set vehicles ablaze and erected 85 roadblocks across more than a dozen states, disrupting travel and spreading fear among residents and tourists. Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office said operations were underway in 14 states, with at least 70 arrests reported.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said the situation was stabilizing by Monday, adding that roadblocks had been brought under control. The government deployed 2,000 additional troops to Jalisco, the cartel’s stronghold, amid concerns about further unrest.

Authorities confirmed that while the United States provided intelligence to help identify the location, Mexican forces led the operation. “There was no participation in this operation of U.S. forces,” Sheinbaum said, noting only an exchange of information between the countries.

Oseguera’s death marks a major blow to the CJNG, a highly diversified criminal organization and rival to the Sinaloa Cartel. However, officials warned the killing could spark further violence as the group reorganizes. Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said authorities were closely monitoring potential power shifts within the cartel.

The violence has already had economic repercussions. Airlines cancelled flights amid the unrest, and shares in Mexican airline and airport operators fell. Though flights have begun to resume, analysts warned prolonged instability could affect tourism and key industries in Jalisco.

While the operation represents a significant victory for the government, it underscores the ongoing challenge posed by organized crime in Mexico, where years of cartel violence have left communities on edge.