Mexico Prison Break: 23 Inmates Escape After ‘El Mencho’ Death & Cartel Violence
- A wave of unrest has swept across Mexico following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho,’ the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
- The Mexican government announced on Sunday, February 23rd, that El Mencho was killed alongside eight other cartel members in a remote area of Jalisco state.
- The immediate aftermath of the operation saw suspected cartel members torching vehicles and businesses, and clashing with security forces across at least 20 states.
A wave of unrest has swept across Mexico following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho,’ the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The operation to kill El Mencho, conducted by Mexican special forces with assistance from US intelligence, has triggered retaliatory violence including highway blockades, arson attacks, and a brazen prison break in Puerto Vallarta.
The Mexican government announced on , that El Mencho was killed alongside eight other cartel members in a remote area of Jalisco state. According to Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla, authorities tracked El Mencho to a hideout in Tapalpa, following a lead involving one of his romantic partners. After several shootouts, El Mencho and two of his bodyguards were wounded and died while being transported to Mexico City.
The immediate aftermath of the operation saw suspected cartel members torching vehicles and businesses, and clashing with security forces across at least 20 states. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo stated on that “tranquility” had been restored, but the situation remains fluid. Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch reported 27 attacks against authorities in Jalisco alone, resulting in the deaths of 30 cartel operatives and one civilian.
Adding to the chaos, an armed group attacked a prison in Puerto Vallarta, ramming the facility’s gates with an armored vehicle and opening fire. Juan Pablo Hernández, the Secretary of Public Security of Jalisco, confirmed that 23 inmates escaped during the incident, which occurred amidst the wider unrest following El Mencho’s death. A guard was killed in the shootout. Authorities have issued alerts for the capture of the escaped inmates.
The US State Department initially issued a “widespread” shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens in Mexico, urging them to remain in their hotels or residences. The advisory was later narrowed, but warnings remain in place for Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas in Jalisco and Nayarit due to ongoing road blockades and criminal activity. The department’s 24/7 crisis hotline has been inundated with calls from US nationals, and several US carriers suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta.
The Mexican government has deployed an additional 2,000 troops to the western part of Jalisco in an effort to contain the violence and restore order. Federal authorities reported that by , the country had largely cleared the 85 highway blockades reported on across 11 states. Airports across the country are operating, though some airlines continue to report delays and cancellations.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has rapidly grown to become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico, known for its extensive trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States. The cartel has also demonstrated a willingness to engage in brazen attacks against Mexican government officials and security forces. El Mencho’s death represents a significant blow to the CJNG, but authorities acknowledge that the cartel’s network remains active and diversified.
Both Mexico and the United States had been pursuing El Mencho for years, with numerous outstanding arrest warrants for organized crime and drug trafficking in both countries. His death marks the culmination of a long and complex investigation, aided by US intelligence sharing. The long-term impact of his death on the CJNG and the broader landscape of organized crime in Mexico remains to be seen.
State oil company Pemex has stated that its operations are proceeding normally and that the national fuel supply is guaranteed, despite the unrest. Security remains in place at Pemex facilities. The situation is being closely monitored by international observers, as the violence has the potential to disrupt trade and tourism, and to further destabilize an already volatile region.
The US State Department has been providing assistance to American citizens affected by the violence, and continues to monitor the situation closely. President Donald Trump urged the Mexican government to “step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!”