The Mexican army killed Nemesio Oseguera, alias El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel, during an operation on February 22, 2026, in Tapalpa, Jalisco state. This action, backed by information exchanges with the United States, has triggered a wave of violence, killing at least 25 security personnel. Authorities are deploying additional troops to contain the unrest.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho and aged 59, led the powerful Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), one of Mexico's most influential criminal organizations. Born to poor farming parents, he rose through organized crime in the 2000s, adopting strategies from other cartels to dominate drug trafficking. The United States had offered a $15 million reward for his capture.
The military operation targeting him on Sunday, February 22, in Tapalpa—a town of 20,000 in the west— was confirmed by local media including El Universal, Reforma, and Televisa. Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla stated that intelligence came from one of El Mencho's companions. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized no direct U.S. military involvement, but significant information sharing.
Violence erupted immediately across states like Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Puebla, and Sinaloa. Armed men blocked roads with burning vehicles and targeted businesses. Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch reported 25 National Guard members, one security agent, and one prosecutor's official killed, plus one civilian woman. Security forces killed 30 cartel members, with 70 arrests in seven states.
To counter the unrest, Mexico deployed 2,500 additional soldiers in the west, bringing the total to about 9,500 in Jalisco. Sheinbaum urged calm on X: "We must stay informed and calm." Nine states closed schools, and Jalisco activated its highest security alert. Internationally, Guatemala alerted its border forces, while the U.S. advised citizens to shelter in areas like Guadalajara and Cancún. Airlines such as United and Air Canada canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta and other spots. France advises its nationals in Jalisco and neighboring states to exercise extreme caution and stay confined. Donald Trump urged Mexico to intensify anti-cartel efforts.
