How the killing of ‘El Mencho’ triggered violence across Mexico: summary

What we know

• Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation on February 22 in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
• He was wounded in a clash with soldiers and died while being flown to Mexico City.
• Oseguera had a $15 million US bounty on his head.
• The operation was carried out with “complementary information” from US authorities. US officials said no American troops were involved.
• At least four cartel members were killed in the raid, two others died during transfer, and two were arrested. Authorities seized armoured vehicles, rocket launchers and other weapons. Three members of the armed forces were wounded.
• Following his death, gunmen burned vehicles and blocked highways in multiple states, including Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.
• In Guadalajara, a host city for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, public transportation was suspended, and schools were closed in several areas.
• Airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta experienced panic scenes, and multiple airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines and American Airlines, cancelled flights.
• The US and Canada issued travel warnings for affected regions.
• The CJNG is considered one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organisations, with an estimated 19,000 members operating in 21 of 32 states and responsible for trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States.
• Oseguera’s killing follows pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump on Mexico to intensify its crackdown on drug cartels.

What they said

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on X, “There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states,” adding that “in the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality.” US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called Oseguera “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins” and said, “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world.”