Mexico has been plunged into widespread turmoil following the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho”, the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The Mexican Army confirmed that Oseguera and several of his top aides were killed during a coordinated military operation on Sunday, February 22, in the state of Jalisco.
The operation, designed to capture the notorious drug lord, triggered immediate and violent retaliation across multiple regions of the country.
Within hours of the announcement of El Mencho’s death, cartel fighters launched an aggressive and chaotic response.
Armed groups set fire to vehicles, blocked highways with burning roadblocks, and clashed with security forces in at least six states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, and Nayarit.
Major urban centres such as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta were particularly affected as roads were rendered impassable and residents were urged to stay indoors for safety.
Footage circulating on social media showed dark plumes of smoke rising over Puerto Vallarta’s skyline, prompting fears among tourists and locals alike.
The immediate chaos spilled into major travel hubs. Videos shared widely online showed panic among travellers at Guadalajara International Airport, with people fleeing or seeking cover after reports of nearby gunfire and cartel activity.
Airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico, and American Airlines, suspended flights to and from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara as a safety precaution.
