In a significant strike against organized crime, Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation on February 22, 2026. El Mencho was the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal groups and a major supplier of fentanyl and other drugs to the United States.
The operation took place in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco state, the cartel’s main stronghold. According to Mexico’s Defense Department, troops clashed with cartel members in a shootout. El Mencho was seriously wounded during the firefight and died while being flown by helicopter to Mexico City for medical treatment. Four other cartel members were killed at the scene, and two more died later from injuries. Authorities seized armored vehicles, rocket launchers, and other weapons. Three Mexican soldiers were injured and are receiving care.
El Mencho, a 59-year-old former police officer from Michoacán state, had led the CJNG for years. The cartel grew rapidly under his command, becoming a global trafficking powerhouse after the capture of other major figures like Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán of the Sinaloa Cartel. The CJNG is known for its extreme violence, including attacks on Mexican forces, the use of drones with explosives, and widespread extortion, migrant smuggling, and fuel theft. The United States had placed a $15 million bounty on El Mencho and designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization in 2025. He faced multiple U.S. indictments for leading fentanyl production and distribution.
U.S. officials praised the operation. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called it “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” describing El Mencho as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.” He added on X that “the good guys are stronger than the bad guys.” U.S. intelligence provided key support to the Mexican-led mission, including through joint task forces, though American officials stressed it was primarily a Mexican success.
The killing triggered immediate and widespread retaliation from the cartel. Armed groups set vehicles on fire, blocked highways, and clashed with authorities across multiple states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima, and Tamaulipas. Reports described thick smoke rising over cities like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, with burned buses, trucks, and buildings—including branches of a state-run bank. At least 21 highways were barricaded at one point, though some were later cleared. Public transportation halted in parts of Jalisco, and airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta faced disruptions, leading airlines like Air Canada, Southwest, Alaska, and Delta to cancel flights.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro declared a “Code Red” emergency, urging residents to stay home and avoid travel. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the violence but said normal activities continued in most of the country. The U.S. Embassy issued shelter-in-place warnings for American citizens in affected states, including Jalisco (home to tourist spots like Puerto Vallarta), Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León.
Experts noted that while El Mencho’s death is a major blow—comparable to the takedowns of El Chapo or Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada—it may not end the CJNG’s operations. Cartels often respond to leadership losses with intense violence to prove they remain powerful, and such “decapitation” strategies can sometimes splinter groups into more chaotic factions.
The operation comes amid growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on Mexico to crack down harder on drug cartels, including threats of tariffs or even military action if progress stalls. President Sheinbaum has emphasized cooperation with the U.S. while rejecting any direct foreign intervention as a violation of Mexican sovereignty.
This event marks one of the biggest victories in Mexico’s long fight against powerful drug organizations, but the immediate outbreak of chaos shows how deeply entrenched cartel influence remains in many regions. Authorities continue to mobilize troops to restore order and secure key areas.