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Military reinforcement amid escalating violence
Mexico has sent thousands of soldiers to restore order following a surge of cartel attacks triggered by the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."
Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla announced the deployment of 2,500 additional troops to western Mexico on Monday, raising the total number of soldiers mobilized since Sunday to approximately 9,500.
Unrest spreads across Mexico
Violence has erupted in at least 20 states since El Mencho died in military custody on Sunday, shortly after his capture in Jalisco state. The CJNG, one of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations, has retaliated with coordinated attacks.
Security Minister Omar García Harfuch reported that 25 National Guard members have been killed in Jalisco alone since the unrest began. Additionally, a prison guard, a state prosecutor's office employee, and 30 suspected cartel members have died in the clashes, according to AFP.
Operation to capture El Mencho
El Mencho was apprehended after Mexican forces tracked a romantic partner he was meeting. A firefight erupted between his bodyguards and military commandos, leaving the drug lord critically injured. He died while being transported from Tapalpa to Mexico City.
The defense ministry confirmed that six of El Mencho's security guards were killed in the operation, while three soldiers sustained injuries. The U.S. had previously offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture, though Mexican officials clarified that no American forces participated in the raid.
Cartel retaliates with roadblocks and arson
As news of El Mencho's death spread, CJNG members launched attacks in multiple cities. In some areas, they scattered spikes and nails on roads to block traffic, while in others, they hijacked buses and set them ablaze. Dozens of banks and businesses were also torched.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that most roadblocks had been cleared by Monday morning but acknowledged the widespread destruction. She praised the military's operation and vowed to restore security, declaring, "There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces, and there is a lot of coordination."
Clashes and civilian impact
Videos verified by BBC Verify show cartel members clashing with security forces in San Isidro, near Guadalajara. One clip depicts armed individuals firing at vehicles, while another shows four bodies near a car. CCTV footage also captured a cartel vehicle ramming a National Guard truck amid gunfire.
In Puerto Vallarta, tourists filmed a military helicopter flying low over a hotel as smoke billowed from nearby buildings. Many towns issued stay-at-home orders, leaving streets deserted.
Government response and next steps
The Mexican Ministry of Defense confirmed that the operation to capture El Mencho involved the army, National Guard, and Air Force, with intelligence support from the U.S. Authorities have not released further details about ongoing investigations into the clashes.
