A catastrophic wave of retaliatory violence has engulfed at least 20 Mexican states following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias ‘El Mencho’, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The notorious kingpin, Mexico’s most wanted man, died in military custody on Sunday after sustaining severe injuries during a fierce firefight between his personal security detail and Mexican special forces during his capture in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
The cartel’s response was immediate and brutal. CJNG operatives orchestrated a coordinated campaign of terror, erecting over 250 burning blockades by commandeering and incinerating buses and vehicles. Dozens of banks, pharmacies, and local businesses were set ablaze, casting plumes of black smoke over cities including the major tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta and the World Cup host city, Guadalajara. At Guadalajara’s airport, panicked travelers were sent scrambling for cover amid reports of nearby gunfire.
The chaos evoked memories of the 2019 Sinaloa cartel uprising following the capture of Ovidio Guzmán López. In response, authorities enacted drastic measures: Jalisco’s governor declared a ‘Code Red,’ suspending all public transport, mass gatherings, and in-person classes. The U.S. State Department issued shelter-in-place advisories for its citizens across multiple states, while the UK Foreign Office urged extreme caution. Approximately 300 tourists were evacuated from Puerto Vallarta’s airport under heavy police escort after flight cancellations.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the security forces’ operation while urging public calm, asserting that most of the country continued normal operations. The operation, supported by U.S.-provided intelligence, marked a significant victory; the U.S. had offered a $15 million reward for El Mencho, whom U.S. officials identified as a top fentanyl trafficker. While security forces have since lifted 90% of the blockades and made 25 arrests, tensions remain critically high in the cartel’s stronghold.