A federal operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, led to the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho', leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), on February 22, 2026. The action triggered a wave of violence with 252 narcobloqueos across 20 states, including vehicle and business burnings. Federal and state authorities deployed operations to restore order and ensure safety.
On February 22, 2026, federal forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, 'El Mencho', in a confrontation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Official reports state Oseguera was wounded and died in a hospital after the operation. This death, for which the United States offered a 15 million dollar reward, prompted immediate CJNG reactions with narcobloqueos in at least 20 states.
The Security Cabinet reported 252 road blockades by 20:00 hours, with Jalisco most affected (65 blockades). In Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, vehicles were burned and detonations heard, leading to suspension of in-person classes on February 23 and mass events, according to Governor Pablo Lemus. Air Canada canceled operations at Puerto Vallarta airport.
Violence spread to Michoacán, where Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla set up a security table and reported blockades in Tierra Caliente; three suspected criminals were killed in La Piedad. In Guanajuato, Oxxo stores and Farmacias Guadalajara were burned in Irapuato and Silao. Nayarit saw blockades on Bulevar Tepic-Xalisco and federal highways, with anti-blockade operations implemented.
In Tamaulipas, blockades in Reynosa included burning trucks on Libramiento Reynosa-Monterrey. The U.S. Embassy issued an alert for citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León, advising them to shelter in place. In Guerrero, Acapulco suspended Acabús service after transport unit fires.
Oaxaca deployed military in Juchitán due to vehicle burnings on the Transístmica highway. Colima reported blockades and flight cancellations at Manzanillo. Quintana Roo saw attacks in Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Puebla, Veracruz, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, and other states bolstered security, with toll booth closures like Esperanza in Puebla and Puente Reynosa in Tamaulipas.
Capufe closed 11 toll booths until further notice due to blockades. In Jalisco, 18 Banco del Bienestar branches, 69 Oxxo stores, and SAT offices in Zapopan were burned. State authorities, such as in San Luis Potosí and Durango, reported zero incidents with preventive deployments.
