politics
February 23, 2026
Violence in Mexico after military kills notorious drug cartel boss
Streets empty as residents shield from chaos of retaliatory attacks after death of ‘El Mencho’ in federal raid
TL;DR
- Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’, the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in a federal raid.
- Retaliatory cartel attacks resulted in 25 National Guard members and one security guard killed, along with 30 cartel operatives and one bystander.
- Violence led to school closures, road blockages by torching vehicles, and travel warnings from foreign governments.
- More than 1,000 people were sheltered overnight in Guadalajara's zoo for safety.
- Airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Tepic remained operational despite rumors of closures.
- Experts predict potential future violence and power struggles within the cartel due to the absence of a clear successor.
- The US provided intelligence support for the raid, with some analysts suggesting the operation aimed to show Mexico's capability to handle cartels independently.
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