MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Mexico was plunged into waves of violence and civil disruption after Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho”, the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and one of the world’s most‑wanted drug lords.
His death came during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco, prompting a swift and violent backlash from cartel operatives across large swaths of the country.
The killing sparked widespread unrest, with suspected gang members torching buses and businesses while clashing with security forces.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said “peace, security and normalcy” are being maintained across the country.
NARCO WARFARE: Cartel members set buses, cars and stores on fire in retaliation attacks across Mexico after authorities kill the country’s most-wanted kingpin.
Operation That Killed El Mencho
On 22 February 2026, Mexican Army special forces launched a raid in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, aiming to capture El Mencho — a trafficker with a US $15 million reward on his head offered by the United States for his role in drug distribution and other crimes.
Intelligence support for the mission reportedly came from a newly established U.S.‑led task force, although Mexican forces executed the operation independently.
Oseguera was wounded during intense gunfire with security forces and later died while being airlifted to a hospital.
Mexican authorities also reported the deaths of several of his close associates in the raid.
Twenty-five members of Mexico’s National Guard died during attacks in the state of Jalisco.
Violence Erupts Nationwide
The announcement of El Mencho’s death triggered widespread retaliatory violence by CJNG loyalists and allied criminal groups.
Within hours, gunmen loyal to the cartel blocked major highways with burning vehicles, torched cars and buses, and clashed with security forces.
Chaos spread through at least 20 of Mexico’s 31 states, disrupting daily life and prompting travel advisories from foreign governments.
Security officials confirmed that dozens of Mexican National Guard members were killed in subsequent clashes, with confrontations between cartel gunmen and government forces resulting in casualties on both sides.
In the state of Jalisco, residents and authorities described scenes of near‑total shutdown, with schools closed, businesses shuttered, and civilians urged to shelter in place as violence continued to escalate.
Wider Impact and International Response
The sudden eruption of violence prompted travel warnings from several countries, including the United States and Canada, urging foreigners in Mexico to stay indoors and avoid affected regions.
Major airline carriers temporarily canceled flights to and from areas near the violence, including flights to tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta.
U.S. officials welcomed the death of El Mencho, who had long been a priority target due to the CJNG’s role in trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States, but stressed that the operation underscored the ongoing challenges of combating transnational organised crime.
Political and Security Implications
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum described the operation as a major success in the government’s crackdown on cartels but acknowledged the severe backlash and the need for heightened security.
Analysts warn that the killing of a cartel leader of El Mencho’s stature could lead to internal power struggles, fragmentation of cartel factions, and further violence as rivals compete for control.
Security experts also caution that while eliminating cartel leadership can weaken an organisation, it often leads to unpredictable and heightened instability, especially in regions where drug‑related criminal networks are deeply entrenched.
