Mexico has been plunged into a state of widespread turmoil and retaliatory violence following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the infamous leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as ‘El Mencho’. The high-value target was killed during a meticulously planned security operation on Sunday in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, which involved crucial intelligence support from the United States.
The operation, executed by Mexican special forces, resulted in significant casualties. Four cartel members were confirmed dead alongside El Mencho, with three military personnel sustaining injuries. The Mexican Defense Ministry affirmed the success of the mission against the country’s most-wanted criminal.
In a brutal response to the loss of their leader, CJNG factions unleashed a coordinated wave of violence across at least a dozen Mexican states. Retaliatory tactics included the strategic placement of approximately 250 burning vehicle blockades on major roadways, with 65 concentrated in Jalisco alone. Urban centers, including the World Cup host city Guadalajara and the resort destination Puerto Vallarta, were transformed into scenes resembling conflict zones, with eyewitnesses reporting armed gunmen on streets shrouded by plumes of smoke from innumerable fires.
The escalating crisis prompted Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro to declare a code red emergency, suspending all public transportation systems, canceling mass gatherings, and shifting educational institutions to remote learning. The violence extended to widespread looting and attacks on commercial establishments, with approximately 20 bank branches targeted by rioters.
International repercussions were immediate. The United States issued urgent shelter-in-place advisories for its citizens in five Mexican states, while several major airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines, and American Airlines, canceled flights to affected regions. The UK government similarly warned its nationals to exercise extreme caution.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum attempted to project control, emphasizing ‘absolute coordination’ between state and federal authorities while urging citizens to remain ‘calm and informed.’ Despite these assurances, the Security Cabinet confirmed 25 arrests linked to the violence, with 11 suspects detained for direct participation in attacks and 14 others for alleged looting.
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized El Mencho’s death as a significant victory in the bilateral fight against narcotics trafficking, highlighting his status as a prime target for both governments and his cartel’s primary role in funneling fentanyl into the United States. The late cartel leader, a 59-year-old former police officer, had built a vast criminal empire responsible for trafficking massive quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and synthetic opioids, with the US State Department offering a $15 million bounty for information leading to his capture.