Mexican forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in a raid that set off clashes and blockades across multiple states. Mexican soldiers killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as El Mencho, during a special forces operation in the town of Tapalpa.
He suffered serious wounds in the firefight and died while being airlifted to Mexico City for treatment. The raid also left six other cartel members dead, two suspects in custody, and three soldiers injured. The death of El Mencho, Mexico’s most wanted criminal with a $15 million U.S. reward on his head, marks a significant blow to organized crime in the region.
His cartel controls vast drug trafficking routes, fueling violence that has destabilized parts of Latin America and contributed to the flow of fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States. The operation underscores Mexico’s efforts to confront powerful criminal groups amid pressure from U.S. officials to curb drug flows.
Cartel members responded with attacks in at least seven states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Nuevo León, Colima, and Zacatecas. They set vehicles on fire, erected roadblocks, and clashed with security forces, disrupting highways and urban areas. In Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, smoke rose from burning buses and trucks, forcing authorities to suspend public transport. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus activated a “code red” alert statewide, urging residents to stay indoors.
The U.S. State Department advised American citizens in affected areas to shelter in place until further notice. The advisory covered Jalisco state, including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara; Tamaulipas state, including Reynosa; and parts of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León. Roadblocks disrupted airline operations, leading to cancellations of domestic and international flights at airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Taxi and ride-share services halted in Puerto Vallarta as well.
Canada’s government issued a similar warning for its citizens in Jalisco, Guerrero, and Michoacán, advising them to keep a low profile and monitor local updates. Schools in Jalisco canceled classes on February 23, 2026, as security forces worked to clear blockades and restore order.
The Mexican Defense Ministry detailed the operation in a statement, noting that special forces, supported by the National Intelligence Center and the Attorney General’s Office, acted on intelligence tips. U.S. agencies provided complementary information that aided the raid, according to Mexican officials. Troops seized armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and other weapons during the action.
El Mencho, a former police officer born around 1966, founded the Jalisco New Generation Cartel after splitting from the Sinaloa Cartel in the early 2010s. Under his command, the group expanded rapidly, dominating methamphetamine and fentanyl production while engaging in extortion, fuel theft, and territorial wars. The cartel gained notoriety for bold attacks, including downing a military helicopter in 2015 and ambushing police convoys.
His death follows the arrests of other high-profile figures, such as Sinaloa Cartel leaders JoaquÃn Guzmán Loera and Ismael Zambada GarcÃa, now held in the U.S. Analysts expect internal power struggles within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, potentially leading to more violence as factions vie for control.
Security forces plan to maintain heightened patrols in the coming days to prevent further reprisals. The Defense Ministry stated that operations will continue to target remaining cartel structures. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called the outcome a positive step for regional security. As of now, authorities have not announced arrests of potential successors, though Hugo Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, known as El Sapo, emerges as a likely contender.
Travelers should check official updates before planning trips to affected areas, as restrictions may persist.
