Cartel Chaos Explodes Across Mexico After Military Kills Notorious Kingpin El Mencho

February 23, 2026

A massive military operation in Jalisco state has left one of Mexico's most powerful drug lords dead and triggered a ferocious wave of retaliatory violence that spread through much of the country, claiming dozens of lives and paralyzing communities from coast to coast.

Mexican special forces killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho, the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a fierce shootout in the town of Tapalpa on Sunday. The raid, supported by US intelligence, aimed to capture the elusive figure who had evaded authorities for years with a multimillion dollar bounty on his head. Several of his associates died in the clash, and authorities seized heavy weaponry along with armored vehicles.

The operation's success came at a steep price. Retaliation erupted almost immediately as CJNG gunmen launched coordinated attacks. Suspected cartel members torched buses, set fire to businesses, blocked highways with burning vehicles, and clashed directly with security forces. The unrest reached at least twenty states, turning cities into temporary war zones and forcing residents to shelter indoors.

Devastating Toll on Security Forces

Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch reported that twenty five National Guard members lost their lives in six separate attacks concentrated in Jalisco. Additional casualties included around thirty suspected cartel operatives killed in confrontations, plus one civilian bystander caught in the crossfire. Authorities arrested seventy individuals linked to the violence across seven states.

Roadblocks numbered over two hundred fifty nationwide at the peak, disrupting transportation, commerce, and daily life. In Guadalajara, the state capital of Jalisco, streets emptied as people avoided venturing out, while Puerto Vallarta and other tourist areas saw flight cancellations, suspended ride services, and urgent shelter in place warnings from foreign governments including the United States.

Widespread Disruption Hits Economy and Travel

The violence extended far beyond Jalisco. States including Michoacan, Colima, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas reported burning vehicles and highway obstructions. Cross border trade slowed dramatically with impacts on trucking, air freight, and ports. Schools and universities canceled classes in multiple regions to protect students and staff.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the nation, insisting that peace, security, and normalcy were being restored. By Monday morning, most roadblocks had been cleared, though officials remained on high alert for potential further outbreaks. She emphasized ongoing efforts to maintain order amid the chaos.

Lingering Fears of Escalation

Analysts warn that El Mencho's death could spark internal power struggles within the CJNG or ignite new turf wars with rivals such as factions of the Sinaloa Cartel. Past removals of major cartel figures have often led to prolonged bloodshed as groups vie for control of lucrative routes.

The operation highlights intensified bilateral cooperation between Mexico and the United States in targeting high value targets. Yet it also exposes the persistent challenge of containing cartel retaliation once leaders fall. Many Mexicans expressed overwhelming fear that the current unrest marks only the beginning of a more volatile period.

As authorities work to stabilize affected areas, the nation watches closely to see whether this major blow to organized crime brings lasting reductions in violence or unleashes even greater instability in the months ahead.