Violence Erupts in Mexico Following El Mencho’s Death in Security Operation
Retaliation from cartels is escalating throughout Mexico, with burning roadblocks, increasing arrests, and foreign governments issuing security alerts.
A surge of violence has unfolded throughout Mexico following the death of the nation’s most sought-after drug lord, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, commonly referred to as El Mencho, during a military operation supported by US intelligence.
El Mencho, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), passed away following severe injuries sustained during confrontations between his supporters and Mexican troops on Sunday in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco state.
The defence ministry of Mexico reported that four members of the CJNG were killed during the operation, while three soldiers sustained injuries. US intelligence is said to have aided Mexican forces in the search for the cartel leader, who had a $15 million reward posted by the US State Department for information that would lead to his capture.
In response, alleged CJNG gunmen launched synchronized assaults across at least a dozen states, obstructing highways with flaming vehicles and instigating disorder throughout major cities.
Footage from eyewitnesses captured smoke billowing above Guadalajara, a host city for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. In the coastal resort of Puerto Vallarta, tourists depicted scenes that resembled a “war zone.”
Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro of Jalisco has declared a code red, resulting in the suspension of public transport, the cancellation of mass events, and the halting of in-person classes.
Mexico’s Security Cabinet reported that approximately 250 roadblocks were established across the country during the peak of the unrest, with 65 of those located in Jalisco. As of late Sunday, four blockades continued to be active in the state.
Authorities reported that 25 individuals were apprehended — 11 for their alleged participation in violent acts and 14 for suspected looting and pillaging. Approximately 20 bank branches were assaulted, and several shops were set on fire.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that there was “absolute coordination” between federal and state authorities in addressing the violence and encouraged citizens to stay calm, noting that most areas of the country were functioning normally.
Numerous international airlines, such as Air Canada, United Airlines, and American Airlines, have cancelled flights to Jalisco due to the ongoing unrest.
The United States has issued a shelter-in-place warning for citizens residing in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, and certain areas of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León. The UK government has issued a warning to travellers regarding “serious security incidents” in Jalisco, advising them to exercise extreme caution.
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt identified El Mencho as a primary target for both Mexican and US authorities, highlighting his significant involvement in trafficking fentanyl into the United States. She stated that the operation was aided by US intelligence support.
Security analysts have characterized the killing as a major setback for organized crime in recent history, yet officials now confront the challenge of managing the cartel’s violent retaliation.
