Mexican Forces Kill ‘El Mencho,’ CJNG Leader, Sparking Nationwide Violence and Chaos

Mexico City – February 23, 2026 – In a major blow to one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, federal security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a high-stakes military operation on Sunday in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco.

According to the Mexican Defense Ministry, Oseguera, 59, was wounded in the clash while authorities attempted to capture him. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported by air to Mexico City for medical treatment. At least six other alleged CJNG members were also killed in the firefight, with several soldiers reported injured.

The operation, carried out by Mexican Army special forces in the CJNG’s home turf — a mountainous area about two hours southwest of Guadalajara — marks the most significant takedown of a cartel boss in years, comparable to the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Oseguera, a former police officer turned drug lord, had built the CJNG into a dominant force notorious for fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine trafficking into the United States, widespread extortion, fuel theft, and brutal violence against rivals and officials. He carried a $15 million U.S. bounty and was long considered Mexico’s most-wanted fugitive.

The killing triggered an immediate and ferocious backlash from CJNG operatives. Within hours, cartel gunmen unleashed coordinated attacks across Jalisco and more than a dozen other states, including Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima, and beyond. Reports described road blockades (“narcobloqueos”), vehicles set ablaze, supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, and convenience stores torched, and highways obstructed with burning cars and debris.

In the state capital Guadalajara, the unrest turned parts of the city into a ghost town, with schools canceled, public transit halted, and residents urged to stay indoors. The coastal resort city of Puerto Vallarta — a major draw for American tourists — saw some of the most dramatic scenes: multiple vehicles engulfed in flames, thick smoke rising over the bay, and reports of armed groups blocking roads. Tourists described the atmosphere as a “war zone,” with military helicopters overhead and soldiers in the streets. Several U.S. airlines suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and Guadalajara (GDL), stranding visitors and prompting urgent shelter-in-place advisories from the U.S. State Department for citizens in Jalisco and other affected areas.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation, acknowledging the operation and calling for calm while security forces worked to restore order. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus declared a “Code Red” emergency, activating state security protocols. Schools were suspended in multiple states, trucking associations advised drivers to seek shelter, and authorities warned of potential further escalation as factions within the CJNG or rival groups vie for control.

Experts warn that the decapitation of the CJNG could lead to intensified internal power struggles or retaliatory campaigns against government targets, echoing patterns seen after previous high-profile cartel losses. The U.S. provided intelligence support for the operation, according to White House statements, highlighting ongoing bilateral cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

By Monday morning, violence had subsided in many areas, though tensions remain high. Officials continue to monitor developments closely, with fears that the fallout from El Mencho’s death could reshape Mexico’s criminal landscape for years to come.

17GEN4.com