Mexico News LIVE: The Cartel leader “El Mencho” killing sparked widespread unrest across 20 of Mexico’s 32 states, with suspected cartel members torching buses and businesses, blocking highways, and clashing with security forces. Authorities reported 252 blockades nationwide, as violence gripped Jalisco and brought Guadalajara—Mexico’s second-largest city—to a near standstill.
Here’s the latest
Cartel kingpin killed: Mexico’s most-wanted drug lord, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes — leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) — was killed during a Mexican military operation. The White House confirmed that the United States provided intelligence assistance in the mission.
Wave of violence: His death triggered widespread chaos, with suspected cartel members setting buses and businesses ablaze and engaging in clashes with security forces. Mexico’s Security Cabinet reported more than 250 roadblocks across 20 states, though most have since been dismantled.
Tourists stranded: The US State Department advised American citizens in affected regions to shelter in place. Several US airlines suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, leaving travellers stranded and scrambling for alternatives.
What is happening in Mexico?
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) entered a stage of uncertainty after its leader, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, El Mencho, died following a military operation in the town of Tapalpa. Reports said he suffered injuries during the capture attempt and died while being flown to Mexico City. His death sent shockwaves through the cartel’s command structure and caused immediate unrest across Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta, where burning vehicles, smoke plumes, and sudden street blockades caused fear among residents and tourists.
How was El Mencho Killed?
Security forces from several federal branches of Mexico’s military carried out the operation in the town of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco. CJNG members traded fire with the government forces, resulting in four gang members being killed at the scene, Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defence said. Osegeura and two others were seriously injured and died as they were being transported via aircraft to Mexico City, according to the secretariat. Three Mexican military personnel were also injured in the operation and transferred to a hospital in Mexico City for treatment.
Mexico News Live Updates: A new US-military-led task force specialising in intelligence collection on drug cartels played a role in the Mexican military raid on Sunday that killed the Mexican drug lord known as ‘El Mencho,’ a US defense official told Reuters. The official stressed the raid itself was a Mexican military operation.
