Mexico descended into violence Sunday after the country’s military, assisted by U.S. intelligence, killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — known as “El Mencho” — the leader of the deadly Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion terrorist organization, or CJNG.
The killing of “El Mencho” triggered a wave of violent reprisals across nearly a dozen Mexican states that turned Guadalajara into a ghost town and trapped American and foreign tourists in their hotels.
Mexican troops conducted the operation in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, roughly two hours southwest of Guadalajara. “El Mencho” was mortally wounded during a shootout and died while being flown to Mexico City, Mexico’s Defense Department said.
Four cartel body guards were killed instantly during the raid and three others, including El Mencho, died of their wounds. Two more were arrested, and troops seized armored vehicles and rocket launchers. Three Mexican soldiers were reportedly wounded in the operation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed U.S. intelligence’s involvement in a statement Sunday night.
“‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” Leavitt wrote. “President Trump has been very clear — the United States will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved.”
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised the raid by Mexican military forces.
“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” Landau wrote on X. “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”
El Mencho had a $15 million U.S. bounty on his head. A former police officer, he co-founded CJNG around 2009 and built it into what the FBI considers Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking terror organization. It is responsible for the majority of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and other deadly drugs entering the United States. The Trump administration officially designated CJNG a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year.
The cartel’s retaliation was swift and widespread. Armed gunmen set vehicles ablaze, erected roadblocks across highways, and attacked the Guadalajara International Airport. Mexico’s security agency reported 252 blockades throughout the country by Sunday evening. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro activated a “code red” emergency protocol, suspended all public transportation in the state, and urged residents to stay home. At least 25 Mexican security forces were killed by the cartel in Jalisco in six different attacks.
The U.S. Embassy has issued shelter-in-place advisories for Americans in Jalisco — including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara — as well as Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon. Southwest, Alaska, and Delta Air Lines all canceled flights to and from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara as the violence escalated. Hundreds of tourists were stranded at resorts with no means of departure.
Guadalajara is scheduled to host four matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Four Liga MX soccer matches were postponed Sunday over security concerns.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the violence, but downplayed the extent of the unrest.
“In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality,” she said.
Take a look at some of the chaos that has been unleashed by the terrorist organization –
Chaos Erupts Across Mexico After Military Kills CJNG Leader 'El Mencho'
Mexican forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a high-stakes operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco on February… pic.twitter.com/uoM5As1bVU
— JAS (@JasADRxquisites) February 22, 2026
It's all out war in Guadalajara right now following the death of one of Mexico's most sadistic cartel leaders. Mexican forces, reportedly assisted by US special forces killed "El Mencho," the leader of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion or CJNG, in Jalisco this morning. pic.twitter.com/z05UoHV7oY
— Johnny Kunza (@johnkunza) February 22, 2026