Violence Erupts Across Mexico Following Death of Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’
A wave of violence has swept across at least a dozen states in Mexico following the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The operation that resulted in his death, carried out by Mexican security forces with support from U.S. Intelligence, has triggered retaliatory attacks and widespread security concerns, prompting travel advisories from the U.S. State Department.
Mexican authorities announced El Mencho’s death on Sunday, February 23, 2026. He was reportedly wounded during a raid in the town of Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco, and died while being transported to Mexico City. Eight other cartel members were killed alongside him, according to reports.
The response to El Mencho’s death has been swift and violent. Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch reported 27 attacks against authorities in Jalisco on Monday alone. At least 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard have been killed in six separate attacks in the state, according to authorities. At least 70 people have been arrested across seven states.
Suspected cartel members have reportedly been torching buses and businesses and clashing with security forces. Gunmen have also been blocking highways, creating a climate of fear and disruption. The violence has extended beyond Jalisco, impacting states including Baja California, Colima, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.
The U.S. State Department initially issued a security warning advising Americans in several Mexican states to “shelter in place.” While the advisory has since been relaxed for areas including Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas, a “shelter in place” advisory remains in effect for Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara), Baja California (including Tijuana, Tecate and Ensenada), and Nayarit (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area). Parts of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz and Zacatecas also remain under the advisory.
The U.S. Government has described the CJNG as one of the five most dangerous criminal organizations in the world. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called El Mencho “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” and described his death as “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the U.S. Provided intelligence support for the operation. A U.S. Defense official stated that the U.S. Military played a role through the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, working with the Mexican military via the U.S. Northern Command, but emphasized that it was a Mexican-led operation. Intelligence sharing between the two countries has reportedly been markedly expanded in recent months under Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
President Sheinbaum has stated that “tranquility” has been restored, while former U.S. President Donald Trump urged her government to “step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!”
Analysts suggest that El Mencho’s death could fuel a turf war among drug-trafficking gangs in Mexico, particularly between the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels, who have long competed for control of the lucrative U.S. Market for illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. They also compete for control of illegal migration into the U.S.
Several U.S. Carriers suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta in response to the unrest, leaving tourists stranded. The U.S. State Department has established a 24/7 crisis hotline for American citizens impacted by the violence.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are continuing to monitor the security situation across Mexico. The long-term impact of El Mencho’s death on the country’s drug landscape remains to be seen.
