By Mark Tanos
The Mexican military killed the leader of one of the Western Hemisphere’s most dangerous drug trafficking organizations during a Sunday operation, setting off violent retaliation across multiple states.
The federal forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), The Associated Press reported. A federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the death occurred during a military operation in Jalisco.
The Trump administration designated CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025, according to the U.S. State Department. Federal authorities offered up to $15 million for information leading to El Mencho‘s capture. The State Department noted CJNG traffics fentanyl and engages in extortion, migrant smuggling, and weapons trade across nearly every region of Mexico. (RELATED: Latin America’s Narco States Freaking Out Over Trump’s Cartel Crackdown)
Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus Navarro activated a statewide emergency protocol following the operation. He wrote on X that “Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which has led to confrontations in the area. Also as a result of this operation, in various points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals have burned and blocked vehicles to hinder the action of the authorities.”
▶️ “‘El Mencho’ fue uno de los grandes capos que ha existido en el mundo”: Mike Vigil, ex agente de la DEA, tras el abatimiento de ‘El Mencho’
📺 La #entrevista con @ricardosolaback y @SamuelCuervo en #MILENIONoticias pic.twitter.com/ypNJd423mm
— Milenio (@Milenio) February 22, 2026
The cartel members torched more than 10 vehicles throughout Puerto Vallarta, Mexico News Daily reported. The coastal tourist destination suspended public transit as a safety measure. Local hotels instructed guests to remain indoors. Several businesses closed temporarily.
The Government of Canada issued updated travel guidance, citing shootouts between security forces and criminal groups. Canadian authorities noted a shelter-in-place order remains active in Puerto Vallarta with all taxi and rideshare services suspended indefinitely.
Mexican outlet Milenio reported that El Mencho founded CJNG and became the country’s most powerful cartel boss after authorities captured Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
The chaos extended beyond Jalisco. Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Bedolla reported that 13 municipalities in his state faced similar disturbances, according to Mexico News Daily.
