Mexico in Turmoil After Military Strike Kills Notorious Cartel Leader 'El Mencho'

Mexico City — February 23, 2026 — Mexico awoke to a day of uneasy calm on Monday following a dramatic military operation that left Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the long-elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), dead and triggered a swift and violent nationwide backlash from the cartel.

Mexican authorities confirmed that Oseguera Cervantes, widely regarded as one of the world's most powerful and ruthless drug traffickers, was killed on Sunday during a high-stakes raid by Mexican Army Special Forces in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco. The 59- or 60-year-old cartel boss—wanted for years on charges including drug trafficking, homicide, and organized crime—was seriously wounded in the confrontation and died en route to medical treatment in Mexico City via helicopter, according to the Mexican Defense Ministry.

The operation, supported by U.S. intelligence, targeted Oseguera at a property where he had been located through information from a trusted associate. Eight other CJNG members were reported killed in the clash, marking a major blow to the cartel that has dominated fentanyl production and smuggling into the United States while engaging in extreme violence, extortion, and fuel theft.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation from Palacio Nacional, emphasizing that "peace, security, and normalcy are being maintained" despite the unrest. Defense Secretary General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo highlighted the role of U.S. intelligence in dismantling El Mencho's networks and announced the deployment of 2,500 additional troops to restore order.

The killing unleashed immediate retaliation. Suspected CJNG operatives set up over 250 road blockades across at least 20 states, torched vehicles, buses, and businesses, and clashed with security forces. Jalisco saw the heaviest violence, with dozens killed—including at least 25 National Guard members—in multiple attacks described by Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch as "cowardly." Fires and plumes of smoke rose over areas of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, turning popular tourist zones into scenes of chaos.

The unrest severely disrupted travel. Several U.S. airlines suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, stranding American tourists who reported being separated from family members or facing shortages of food and supplies. The U.S. State Department and Embassy urged citizens to shelter in place in hotels or residences, while local authorities imposed curfews in affected cities. Mexican football matches were postponed, and schools in several states closed as a precaution.

Experts warn that the power vacuum could spark internal CJNG succession battles or clashes with rival groups, potentially prolonging instability. While most blockades have been cleared and violence subsided somewhat overnight, officials remain on high alert for further reprisals.

The operation represents a significant victory for the Sheinbaum administration in its ongoing battle against organized crime, coming amid heightened U.S.-Mexico cooperation on security issues. The White House confirmed American intelligence support, describing it as a collaborative effort against a major fentanyl supplier.

As Mexico works to restore order, the death of "El Mencho"—a former police officer turned cartel kingpin—marks one of the most consequential strikes against organized crime in recent years, though the immediate cost has been widespread fear and disruption for millions of residents and visitors alike.

17GEN4.com