TAPALPA, MEXICO – The death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has triggered a wave of violence across Mexico and left American tourists stranded in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta. Mexican security forces killed El Mencho, 59, in a military raid in the town of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday, February 22, 2026, utilizing U.S. Intelligence support, according to Mexico’s defense ministry.
The operation, a major escalation by the Mexican government, comes amid ongoing pressure to aggressively combat drug cartels. Following the news, suspected gang members torched buses and businesses, clashing with security forces in several locations. Twenty-five members of Mexico’s National Guard died during attacks in Jalisco, underscoring the immediate and violent reaction to El Mencho’s death.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has called for calm, urging citizens to “stay informed,” as authorities work to maintain “peace, security and normalcy” throughout the country. However, the situation remains volatile, particularly for tourists.
The U.S. State Department has urged American nationals in parts of Mexico to “seek shelter and remain in residences or hotels” and has established a 24/7 crisis hotline for impacted citizens. Several U.S. Carriers have suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, leaving many tourists stranded. Satellite images shared by imaging company Vantor show dark smoke over Puerto Vallarta, with eyewitnesses reporting vehicles set ablaze, including buses, in the coastal city.
A Shadowy Figure at the Head of a Powerful Cartel
El Mencho led the CJNG, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels, despite maintaining a low public profile. He grew up in poverty in the state of Michoacán and immigrated illegally to California in the 1980s before being deported to Mexico in the early 1990s. He briefly served as a police officer before joining the Milenio Cartel.
In 2009, following the arrests and deaths of Milenio Cartel leaders, Oseguera co-founded CJNG. The cartel has grown to become a major trafficker of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl to the U.S., with a presence in almost all 50 states, rivaling the Sinaloa cartel in power, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Beyond drug trafficking, the CJNG has also engaged in illicit activities such as fuel theft and crude-oil smuggling, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. In 2020, cartel members attempted to assassinate then-Mexico City Secretary of Public Security Omar Garcia Harfuch, using grenades and high-powered rifles.
Succession Crisis Looms for the CJNG
With the death of El Mencho, the CJNG faces a looming succession battle, according to Mexico City-based security consultant David Saucedo. The cartel’s line of succession has been broken, as El Mencho’s son, Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez (“El Menchito”), is currently jailed in the U.S. This leaves only one brother and a stepson, who Saucedo says “still lacks influence among other cartel commanders.”
This leadership vacuum could spark an internal war, similar to the conflict that erupted within the Sinaloa Cartel after the 2024 capture of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The Sinaloa conflict was fueled by the lack of a clear family successor, as cartel leadership often follows a dynastic pattern – passing from fathers to sons, siblings, or cousins.
Without an Oseguera family member as a clear successor, Saucedo believes “it’s likely that one of four or five top commanders will emerge as the next leader.” While a violent succession struggle is possible, the cartel commanders could also negotiate a smooth transition of power.
Among the potential contenders, Saucedo identified Ricardo Ruiz Velasco (“El Doble R”), Audias Flores (“El Jardinero” or “The Gardener”), another figure known as “El Sapo,” and El Mencho’s former head of security, about whom little is publicly known. A September 2025 report from the U.S. Direction of National Intelligence identified El Sapo as Hugo Mendoza Gaytan, and also mentioned Oseguera’s stepson Juan Carlos Valencia Gonzalez (“El Pelon”) and son-in-law Julio Alberto Castillo Rodriguez (“El Chorro”) as part of the cartel leadership.
The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining the future of the CJNG and the stability of the region. The Mexican government, with continued support from the U.S., will face a significant challenge in maintaining order and preventing further escalation of violence.
