Mexico’s most needed drug lord, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, higher often known as “El Mencho”, was killed in a army operation that unleashed coordinated violence throughout a number of states, paralysed transport networks and prompted safety advisories from the US and Canada. The Mexican military mentioned the 59-year-old chief of the Jalisco New Era Cartel was wounded throughout a conflict with troopers in Tapalpa, Jalisco, and died whereas being flown to Mexico Metropolis.The operation marks one of the vital consequential blows to organised crime in Mexico because the arrests of Joaquín Guzmán, often known as “El Chapo”, and Ismael Zambada García, co-founders of the Sinaloa cartel. Inside hours of the announcement, cartel gunmen set automobiles ablaze, blocked highways and clashed with safety forces in what authorities described as retaliatory violence spreading throughout at the very least 5 states.
What occurred in Tapalpa
In response to Mexico’s Secretariat of Nationwide Defence, safety forces from a number of federal branches carried out the operation within the city of Tapalpa in western Jalisco. The military mentioned Oseguera was wounded in a firefight and later died throughout an air switch to Mexico Metropolis.Officers said that six suspected cartel gunmen have been killed throughout the operation, whereas three troopers have been wounded and brought to hospital within the capital. Two suspects have been arrested. Authorities additionally seized a cache of weapons, together with rocket launchers able to taking down plane and destroying armoured automobiles.An AP report cited a federal official who confirmed that the killing occurred throughout a army operation in Jalisco. The official spoke on situation of anonymity as they weren’t authorised to remark publicly.The USA had provided a reward of as much as 15 million {dollars} for info resulting in Oseguera’s arrest. In February, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a overseas terrorist organisation.
US and Canada subject journey advisories
Following the unrest, the US State Division urged Americans in a number of areas to take shelter. In an announcement posted on social media, it mentioned: “Mexico: As a result of ongoing safety operations and associated highway blockages and felony exercise, U.S. residents within the following places ought to shelter in place till additional discover: Jalisco State (together with Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (together with Reynosa and different municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State.”The advisory advisable avoiding areas round regulation enforcement exercise, minimising pointless actions, monitoring native media, following directions from authorities and contacting emergency companies by dialling 911 if required.Canada’s Ministry of International Affairs mentioned it was intently monitoring the “severe and quickly evolving safety state of affairs” in Jalisco, significantly in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Canadian residents have been suggested to stick to shelter-in-place orders in affected areas.
Wave of retaliatory violence
Quickly after information of the raid emerged, gunmen blocked greater than 20 roads in western Jalisco utilizing burning automobiles and vehicles. The unrest unfold past Tapalpa to Guadalajara and the vacationer hub of Puerto Vallarta, and later to neighbouring states together with Michoacan and Guanajuato.In Guanajuato, authorities reported fires at pharmacies and comfort shops. “No accidents have been reported, however there was property injury,” the state’s Safety and Peace Secretariat mentioned, including {that a} joint operation involving the military, Nationwide Guard and municipal police had been deployed.Residents described scenes of panic. Maria Medina, who works at a fuel station that was set on fireplace, mentioned armed males ordered individuals to depart. “I believed they have been going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to take cowl with the individuals there,” she instructed AFP.Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to stay indoors and mentioned public transport companies could be suspended “till the state of affairs is underneath management.” He warned that the violence had unfold to at the very least 5 states and suggested individuals to keep away from travelling on highways.In Guadalajara, streets have been largely abandoned as outlets, pharmacies and petrol stations shut their doorways.
Sporting occasions and public life disrupted
The safety state of affairs compelled authorities to cancel public occasions and sporting fixtures. Jalisco, which is scheduled to host 4 matches of the 2026 World Cup this summer season, suspended all giant gatherings on Sunday and cancelled in-person lessons on Monday.A number of soccer matches have been additionally postponed, together with fixtures from the Clausura event of Mexico’s Liga MX, girls’s league video games and a global pleasant between Mexico and Iceland.Airways have been affected as properly. US and Canadian carriers cancelled dozens of flights to Mexico amid issues over the violence. Air Canada suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, a well-liked resort vacation spot on the Pacific coast.
Worldwide response and political stress
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed the killing and described Oseguera as “one of many bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”“This can be a nice improvement for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” he added.The raid comes amid renewed stress from US President Donald Trump on Mexico to curb the circulation of medicine, particularly fentanyl, into the US. Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs on Mexican exports, arguing that Mexico has not finished sufficient to fight trafficking.The US Justice Division charged Oseguera in 2022 with main efforts to fabricate and distribute fentanyl for importation into the US. An indictment alleged that his organisation operated in a number of Mexican states, together with Jalisco, Colima and Veracruz, with a broader nationwide presence.
The rise of CJNG
Shaped in 2009, the Jalisco New Era Cartel grew quickly into one among Mexico’s most violent and highly effective felony organisations. In response to US authorities, it was answerable for trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US.Oseguera, a former police officer, led the group because it expanded its territorial management and affect, regularly participating in brazen confrontations with safety forces. The US Drug Enforcement Administration described CJNG as among the many “strongest and ruthless felony organisations” working in Mexico.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum referred to as for calm following Sunday’s occasions and mentioned the federal authorities was coordinating with state authorities to revive order.Whereas the killing of El Mencho represents a milestone in Mexico’s struggle towards organised crime, the swift and violent backlash underlines the enduring capability of cartels to disrupt public life and problem the state. Safety forces stay deployed throughout affected areas as authorities try and stabilise the state of affairs.
