Large parts of western Mexico have effectively shut down following a surge in cartel violence triggered by the military operation that killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Schools closed across several Mexican states and foreign governments urged their citizens to shelter in place after his death was confirmed on Sunday.
El Mencho was killed during a firefight after Mexican special forces launched a raid in Tapalpa, a town roughly 80 miles southwest of Guadalajara, supported by US intelligence. Mexico’s defence ministry said he was wounded in a shootout and died while being airlifted to Mexico City. Six of his accomplices were also killed and two alleged cartel members were arrested, with weapons including rocket launchers seized at the scene. New details emerging Monday revealed the military had located El Mencho after a visit from a romantic partner tipped off his whereabouts. Mexico’s security minister also confirmed that 25 members of the national guard had died since the operation began.
The retaliation was swift and widespread. Gunmen blocked major roads, torched cars and buses and clashed with government forces across 20 of Mexico’s 31 states. Mexican newspaper La Jornada reported at least 26 people killed in the unrest, including a pregnant woman caught in a crossfire between troops and cartel fighters. Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city and a 2026 World Cup host city, was nearly completely shut down. In Puerto Vallarta, tourists watched from beaches as smoke filled the skies above the resort city. Most flights into the city were suspended and international airlines cancelled dozens of trips. The US embassy issued a shelter-in-place alert for affected regions, and the UK Foreign Office warned that routes to airports may be blocked.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm and said by Monday all roadblocks had been cleared. The White House confirmed US intelligence support for the operation, and senior US officials celebrated the outcome. Washington had offered a $15 million reward for El Mencho’s capture. The killing follows months of pressure from President Trump over drug and migrant flows across the US-Mexico border, and the Trump administration had designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organisation.
While the operation is seen as a significant win for both governments, experts warn it could trigger a dangerous power vacuum. Organised crime analyst Chris Dalby warned that if no clear successor emerges and the CJNG splinters, multiple lieutenants with substantial resources could carve out their own territories, potentially pushing Mexico into record levels of violence. El Mencho’s stepson Juan Carlos has been cited by some sources as a possible successor, though analysts say that outcome is far from guaranteed.
