Maria Julissa Shoots Down El Mencho Photo Claim After Kingpin's Death
Maria Julissa, a major social media influencer, is shooting down claims that she was linked to the death of Mexican cartel leader "El Mencho." She adamantly denies it.
“I want to take a moment to clarify a situation that I find important to address directly and transparently. In the last few days I have seen that it is spreading on social networks that involves me with what is currently happening in Mexico. I want to make it absolutely clear: I have nothing to do with that situation,” Maria wrote on Instagram on February 23. "ATTENTION ????... EVERYTHING IS COMPLETELY FALSE," she wrote, urging people not to fall for "yellow" journalism.
After the Mexican Army killed the drug lord, whose full name was Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, violence erupted throughout the country, especially in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, leading the U.S. government to issue security warnings for travelers. Maria Julissa has 3.6 million followers on Instagram. According to Univision, the influencer "categorically denied any kind of relationship" with El Mencho after social media users shared purported but unverified photos and other claims. El Mencho was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Maria Julissa Warned Fans That Sharing 'Unverified Content' Could Cause 'Harm'
Maria Julissa was not specific about the claims she was refuting but asked fans not to share "unverified content."
“The information that is circulating is false and unfounded. I ask you not to share unverified content and not to take any information you see on networks for certain. Disinformation can cause a lot of harm ... I ask you not to fall into fake news and always consult reliable and official sources," she wrote.
"I thank those who have taken the time to ask directly and to those who have supported me," she added.
Julissa's Instagram page is filled with photos showing her in bikinis and with cars.
Who Was 'El Mencho'?
The man known as “El Mencho," one of Mexico's most notorious cartel leaders was killed by Mexican authorities using U.S. intelligence, sources tell ABC News. https://t.co/NHTcea9M7N pic.twitter.com/2h3NC08mIx
— ABC News (@ABC) February 22, 2026
Who was El Mencho?
The cartel leader was “one of the founders and the current leader of the Cartel de Jalicso Nueva Generación (CJNG). Oseguera Cervantes is one of the most wanted fugitives in Mexico,” according to the U.S. government.
“CJNG was formed in 2009 and has grown into one of the most violent drug cartels in Mexico,” the U.S. government wrote. “It has been assessed to have the highest cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking capacity in Mexico, and over the past few years, includes the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States.” The statement adds, “Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes has been indicted several times in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.”
(Photo by Félix Márquez/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The U.S. government has confirmed that El Mencho is deceased after a Mexican military operation. There was a $15 million bounty for his capture. "Under Oseguera Cervantes’ leadership, CJNG has been responsible for many homicides against rival trafficking groups and Mexican law enforcement officers. More recently, CJNG operatives, allegedly under Oseguera Cervantes’ direction, were involved in assassination attempts of Mexican government officials," the U.S. government wrote of the cartel leader.