Mexico City/Washington, February 23–24: Mexico was plunged into a tense security crisis after federal forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a military operation in the town of Tapalpa in western Jalisco. The operation, carried out by several branches of Mexico’s armed forces, sparked an unprecedented wave of retaliatory violence across multiple states, prompting international travel advisories, flight cancellations, and mass security deployments.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo urged citizens to “remain informed and calm,” acknowledging that the military action had triggered road blockades, arson attacks, and clashes with authorities. In a post on X, Sheinbaum said there was “absolute coordination” between federal and state governments and praised the Mexican Army, National Guard, and the Security Cabinet for their response, stressing that most of the country continued to function normally.
According to the Secretariat of National Defence, CJNG gunmen exchanged fire with federal forces during the raid, leaving four cartel members dead at the scene. Oseguera and two associates were seriously wounded and later died while being airlifted to Mexico City. Three Mexican military personnel were injured and hospitalised.
The killing unleashed widespread violence across Michoacan, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas, with suspected criminal groups torching buses, blocking highways, attacking businesses, and clashing with security forces. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to stay indoors, suspended public transport, and warned against highway travel as violence spread to at least five states.
The fallout quickly drew international concern. The United States and Canada issued urgent advisories urging their citizens to shelter in place in parts of Jalisco—including Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Chapala—as well as in affected regions of other states. The US also directed government staff in several consulates to remain indoors and warned of cancelled domestic and international flights, suspended taxis and ride-share services, and business shutdowns in tourist hubs. Air Canada temporarily suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta.
India’s diplomatic mission also responded. The Embassy of India in Mexico advised Indian nationals to shelter in place, avoid law-enforcement activity, monitor local media, and minimise movement until further notice.
As the situation escalated, Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch confirmed that at least 25 members of the National Guard were killed in six separate incidents in Jalisco alone—one of the deadliest episodes for Mexican security forces in recent years. An additional 30 suspected criminals were killed in Jalisco and four more in neighbouring Michoacan. Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla announced the deployment of 2,500 additional troops to stabilise the region, while authorities reported clearing more than 250 roadblocks across 20 states.
El Mencho, a former police officer, had risen to command one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organisations. The US Drug Enforcement Agency has long described CJNG as among the world’s most ruthless cartels. He was also wanted by the US Justice Department, which in 2022 charged him with overseeing the manufacture and trafficking of fentanyl into the United States and offered a reward of up to USD 15 million for information leading to his arrest.
While President Sheinbaum said conditions had begun to stabilise and flights to Puerto Vallarta were expected to resume, analysts warned that the killing of major cartel leaders has historically triggered violent power struggles. The government, however, reiterated its commitment to dismantling organised crime networks, insisting that restoring peace and public safety remains its top priority. (ANI)
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