Mexico is facing a fresh wave of unrest after the killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, aka El Mencho, the country’s most wanted drug lord and the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The operation, carried out by the Mexican Army, has triggered widespread violence, travel disruptions, and heightened security across several states, marking one of the most volatile moments in recent years.
Authorities say El Mencho was wounded during a military raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco, and later died while being flown to Mexico City. The operation also resulted in the deaths of three other cartel members, with several more wounded and arrested. While officials called the mission a major success, the aftermath has plunged large parts of western Mexico into chaos.
Mexico Violence Latest Updates: What Happened During the Mexican Army Operation?
Security forces launched a high-risk operation targeting El Mencho, who had led CJNG since its formation around 2010. During the raid, intense gunfire broke out between the army and cartel gunmen. El Mencho sustained critical injuries and did not survive the air transfer for medical treatment.
🚨 THIS IS INSANE 🚨 Cartel members in Mexico take over a gas station and set it on fire! pic.twitter.com/3fMyKMUDaV
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) February 22, 2026
Mexican authorities moved his body under heavy security to a high-security facility in the capital, while the National Guard deployed armed convoys to protect key government buildings, including the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime.
Violence Erupts in Mexico: Cartel Violence Erupts After El Mencho’s Death
Soon after news of El Mencho’s killing spread, CJNG launched a violent retaliation across multiple states. Armed cartel members blocked roads, torched buses, cars, and commercial trucks, and set up gun-controlled checkpoints.
Social media videos showed dozens of vehicles on fire, with thick smoke rising from highways and urban areas. Reports also indicated that supermarkets, fuel stations, and at least 18 Banco del Bienestar branches were attacked and burned.
Officials confirmed that at least seven National Guard members were killed during clashes with cartel fighters, underscoring the scale and intensity of the violence.
Violence Erupts in Mexico: What Is the Situation on the Ground?
The violence has severely disrupted daily life in parts of western Mexico. Major airlines, including United, Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Air Canada, cancelled dozens of domestic and international flights to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta due to security concerns.
Public transportation remains suspended in several areas of Jalisco, while schools in Jalisco and Guanajuato cancelled classes indefinitely. Authorities also halted taxi and ride-share services in Puerto Vallarta, a major tourist destination.
Guadalajara, which is scheduled to host four FIFA World Cup matches in June, now faces uncertainty over travel and fan movement. Mexico is also set to play a friendly football match against Iceland in Querétaro, though officials have not yet announced whether the game will be postponed.
Was the US Involved in the Operation Against El Mencho?
The United States confirmed that it provided intelligence support to Mexican authorities during the operation. In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said:
“El Mencho’ was a was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland.”
She added, “President Trump has been very clear, the United States will ensure that narco-terrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved. The Trump Administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation.”
The US previously designated CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and a newly launched Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, reportedly assisted by mapping cartel networks along the US-Mexico border.
Who Was El Mencho, and How Powerful Was CJNG?
El Mencho founded CJNG after breaking away from the Milenio Cartel. Under his leadership, CJNG grew into Mexico’s fastest-expanding criminal organization, with operations spanning drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering.
The cartel’s assets are estimated at $50 billion, with billions earned annually through fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine trafficking.
His family has also faced legal action. His son, El Menchito, received a life sentence in the US in 2025. His wife, Rosalinda González Valencia, was arrested for money laundering in 2021, and his brother, Abraham Oseguera, was recaptured in early 2025.
Latest Update on Mexico Violence: What Comes Next?
As smoke continues to rise from torched highways and armed patrols guard major cities, security experts warn of possible power struggles within CJNG and further retaliation. Mexican authorities have raised alert levels and urged citizens to avoid travel in affected areas.
While the killing of El Mencho marks a historic blow to organized crime, the unfolding violence highlights the fragile security situation—and the uncertainty Mexico now faces in the days ahead.
