At least 25 Mexican National Guard troops and dozens of suspected cartel members have been reported dead in violence that erupted after security forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), officials said.
Mexican authorities said the deaths occurred in the aftermath of a military operation that targeted Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” on Feb. 22 in Tapalpa, Jalisco, a stronghold of the CJNG. The raid led to firefights and widespread unrest as cartel members reportedly carried out retaliatory attacks against security personnel.
The violence followed the killing of Oseguera, one of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lords and head of one of the country’s most powerful criminal organizations. Security forces have also reported multiple clashes in other states, with vehicles burned and roadblocks set up by armed groups.
In response, Mexico has deployed additional troops to Jalisco and surrounding areas to help stabilize the security situation, officials said Monday.
Meanwhile, authorities have advised residents in some municipalities and foreign visitors to remain indoors as violence continues to affect parts of the region. Schools in several states were canceled, and public safety alerts remain in effect.
The U.S. provided intelligence support for the Mexican operation that resulted in the death of the cartel leader, Fox News reported.
Mexican Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla announced on Monday that the intelligence leading to the military operation that resulted in the crime boss’s death came from a romantic partner of the boss, according to a report by Reuters.
In response to their leader’s death, the cartel engaged in violent acts across Mexico, setting up roadblocks and setting vehicles on fire throughout Sunday.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm on Monday, and authorities reported that all of the over 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared.
The U.S. State Department advised its personnel in cities across Mexico to shelter in place on Monday, also urging U.S. citizens in various parts of Mexico to do the same.
“Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the named locations should shelter in place until further notice,” the State Department said in its security alert.
Witnesses and tourists in Puerto Vallarta described scenes of stores being ransacked and pharmacies burned as cartel members and other armed groups reacted to news of the operation. Some travelers reported being unable to leave the area amid heightened security and chaos, Fox News reported.
Videos circulated on social media showed smoke rising over streets and vehicles on fire across the city. Some visitors said they were directed by local authorities to remain at their hotels or other secure locations as violence continued.
The areas noted by the State Department include Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (including Reynosa and other municipalities), parts of Michoacán State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo León State.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called El Mencho one of the “bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins” in a post on X.
“This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” he wrote.
The unrest also disrupted travel: several major airlines, including United and Air Canada, canceled flights to and from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara amid escalating violence, and some local services, including taxis and ride-hailing, were suspended.
Mexican officials have worked to contain the unrest and restore order as federal and state authorities respond to the security situation. The U.S. Embassy and the State Department continue to monitor developments and provide updates to American citizens in the region.
Oseguera Cervantes was the leader of one of the largest narco-terrorist cartels in the country. The criminal network was infamous for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to the United States, and for carrying out bold attacks against government officials who opposed it.