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Mexico rocked by cartel violence after top drug lord killed
Mexico has been gripped by a surge of violence following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The drug baron died on Sunday after sustaining injuries in clashes with the military during an operation to arrest him in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco state.
The operation and immediate aftermath
The Mexican defence ministry confirmed that four CJNG members were killed during the operation, while three soldiers were injured. The confrontation erupted as security forces attempted to apprehend El Mencho, a former police officer who had evaded capture for years.
Retaliatory attacks by CJNG supporters quickly spread across at least a dozen states, with armed gunmen blocking roads using burning vehicles. Eyewitnesses reported heavy smoke over several cities, including Guadalajara, a host city for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
State of emergency declared in Jalisco
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro declared a code red, suspending public transport, mass gatherings, and in-person classes. The state has become the epicentre of the unrest, with 65 of the country's 250 reported roadblocks concentrated there. By Monday, authorities reported that only four blockades remained active in Jalisco.
Tourists in the resort town of Puerto Vallarta described scenes akin to a "war zone" to Reuters, while shops and around 20 bank branches were set ablaze or looted during the chaos. Mexico's security cabinet stated that 25 people had been arrested-11 for violent acts and 14 for looting.
Government response and international warnings
President Claudia Sheinbaum assured the public of "absolute coordination" between state and federal authorities, urging citizens to remain "calm and informed." She noted that most of the country was functioning normally despite the unrest.
Several airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines, and American Airlines, cancelled flights to Jalisco. The U.S. State Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory for five states: Jalisco, Tamaulipas, parts of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León. The UK government also warned of "serious security incidents" in Jalisco, advising visitors to exercise extreme caution.
El Mencho's criminal legacy
El Mencho, 59, was one of the most wanted criminals in the world, accused of overseeing a vast trafficking network that smuggled cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the U.S. The U.S. State Department had offered a $15 million (£11.1 million) reward for information leading to his capture.
U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called him a "top target" for both Mexican and American authorities due to his role in flooding the U.S. with fentanyl. She confirmed that three cartel members were killed, three wounded, and two arrested during the operation.
"This was one of the most significant actions undertaken in the history of drug trafficking," said Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in comments to CBS.
International involvement
The U.S. provided intelligence to Mexico that aided the operation, underscoring the cross-border collaboration in targeting cartel leaders. The Mexican defence ministry described the mission as "planned and executed" by the country's special forces.
