Mexican special forces, with U.S. intelligence assistance, killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The operation has triggered widespread violence across Mexico, including in tourist areas like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, stranding thousands of tourists. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 travel advisory for the bordering state of Tamaulipas due to ongoing dangers.
The raid occurred just before dawn in Tapalpa, a town in Jalisco known for its pine forests. According to reports, combat helicopters and military aircraft initiated the assault, followed by gunshots. El Mencho's security detail fired back as dozens of soldiers and armored vehicles advanced into the forest. The confrontation lasted about five hours, with cartel forces pinned down and surrounded. Five CJNG members were killed on the ground, while El Mencho and two bodyguards succumbed to wounds during transport in a military helicopter. Two soldiers were injured, but there were no fatalities on the Mexican side. Authorities seized heavy weapons, including a Barrett rifle, munitions, mortar grenades, two rocket launchers, and eight vehicles.
This operation marks a shift for the Mexican government. President Claudia Sheinbaum had previously stated, “Returning to the war against the narco is not an option. First, because it is outside the framework of the law.” However, the military action utilized U.S. intelligence and involved elite forces trained with American support.
Following the killing, violence escalated nationwide. Dozens of police and National Guardsmen have been killed, with stores looted and set ablaze. In tourist hotspots like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, cartels torched vehicles and engaged security forces, leading to shelter-in-place orders. Flights were canceled, taxis halted, and military helicopters patrolled resorts. American tourist David Miranda, visiting Puerto Vallarta from Chicago, reported being stranded and unsure of his return. Canadians, many of whom had been encouraged to vacation in Mexico over the U.S. last year, are also trapped, with Air Canada and WestJet flights suspended.
The U.S. State Department designates Tamaulipas, bordering Texas, as a Level 4 advisory area—the highest level—advising against all travel due to crime and kidnapping risks comparable to those in Iraq or Afghanistan. Tourism, which comprises about 10% of Mexico's GDP, has historically been spared by cartels, but recent events indicate a change.
