Mexican Army Kills Notorious Cartel Boss 'El Mencho' in Dramatic Raid, Sparking Nationwide Chaos
The Mexican military has confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as "El Mencho", the elusive leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
The 59-year-old drug lord, long regarded as one of Mexico's most wanted figures with a $15 million U.S. bounty on his head, was fatally wounded during a special forces operation in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco state, on Sunday, February 22, 2026. According to the Mexican Defense Department, Oseguera was injured in a fierce clash with soldiers, where six suspected cartel gunmen were also killed and three soldiers wounded. He succumbed to his injuries while being airlifted to Mexico City for treatment. The raid, supported by Mexican military intelligence and U.S.-provided information, resulted in the seizure of advanced weaponry, including rocket launchers.
The killing marks a major blow to the CJNG, one of the world's most violent drug trafficking organizations responsible for flooding the U.S. with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, hailed the operation as "a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world," while the White House confirmed intelligence assistance. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm amid the fallout, but the event has triggered immediate and widespread retaliatory violence by cartel affiliates, including road blockades, torched vehicles, and attacks that have paralyzed parts of Jalisco, Michoacán, and other states.
In the aftermath, chaos has engulfed western Mexico: gunmen blocked over 20 roads, burned cars and trucks, and forced the suspension of in-person classes in at least eight states, court closures, and the cancellation of major events, including World Cup qualifiers in Jalisco. International airlines canceled dozens of flights to affected areas like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, with U.S., Canadian, and other governments issuing shelter-in-place advisories and travel warnings due to shootouts, explosions, and fears of further escalation. The incident underscores ongoing pressures on Mexico to curb cartel activity, especially fentanyl flows, amid heightened U.S. scrutiny.
