Mexico has deployed 10,000 troops to quell clashes sparked by the killing of the nation’s most-wanted drug lord that claimed dozens of lives, officers mentioned Monday (February 23, 2026).
Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, chief of the Jalisco New Technology Cartel (CJNG), was wounded Sunday in a shootout with troopers within the city of Tapalpa, in Jalisco State, and died whereas being flown to Mexico Metropolis, the military mentioned.
Information of his dying triggered spasms of violence, with cartel members blocking roads in 20 States and torching automobiles and companies.
Through the raid on Oseguera and subsequent clashes, at the least 27 members of safety forces, 46 suspected criminals and one civilian have been killed, authorities reported.
A jail break in Jalisco noticed at the least 23 folks escape when their jail was attacked in a hail of gunfire by “legal teams,” in response to the state safety secretary.
Oseguera had a $15 million U.S. bounty on his head.
Fearful residents went into hiding and vacationers took shelter of their lodges as cartel members went on the rampage over the weekend. Whilst calm largely returned, many companies remained closed Monday.
The federal government despatched an extra 2,500 troops to Jalisco — one of many host cities on this 12 months’s FIFA World Cup — bringing to 10,000 the troop deployment since Sunday.
In Aguillila, the birthplace of “El Mencho” in Michoacan state, residents reported blockades early Monday.
Cops safe the world the place automobiles have been set on hearth by organized crime members to dam a street following a army operation during which a authorities supply mentioned Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, generally referred to as “El Mencho,” was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico
| Picture Credit score:
Reuters
Photographs shared on native social media accounts confirmed a column of black smoke floating above the mountain village.
In Jalisco’s state capital Guadalajara, colleges remained closed and most public transportation was suspended.
Giant traces fashioned exterior the few small shops that remained open, notably tortilla outlets, as anxious residents sought to refill on provides.
Pharmacies have been closed and almost “the whole lot is closed,” Juan Soler, a retiree from Guadalajara, advised AFP.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Maria de Jesus Gonzalez mentioned. “Now I’m a bit of extra calm, however a bit of afraid, nonetheless.”
Resort city rocked
The weekend violence additionally gripped the resort metropolis of Puerto Vallarta, well-liked with US vacationers.
Journey warnings from Britain, Canada and america have been issued within the fallout, with Australia urging residents to “train a level of warning.”
Dozens of US and Canadian flights have been cancelled.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks throughout a press convention in regards to the wave of violence in Mexico, following the killing of Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, referred to as ‘El Mencho’
| Picture Credit score:
Reuters
Oseguera, 59, was thought-about the final of the drug lords who acted within the brutal mildew of the now-imprisoned Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, of the rival Sinaloa cartel.
He was a founding member of CJNG, which was fashioned in 2009 and has grown into considered one of Mexico’s most violent crime organizations.
Along with his son Ruben “El Menchito” Oseguera Gonzalez, 35, convicted by a federal jury in Washington in September, specialists have warned the “absence of a direct succession” might result in an influence vacuum.
“That opens the door to violent realignments throughout the group,” David Mora, an professional on the Disaster Group evaluation middle, advised AFP.
Girlfriend tracked to kingpin’s location
Mexico mentioned the operation to grab Oseguera was helped by “complementary info” from US authorities.
White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Washington “offered intelligence help.”
President Claudia Sheinbaum was adamant that no U.S. forces took half within the seize raid.
Key to finding Oseguera was considered one of his girlfriends, Mexican Protection Secretary Ricardo Trevilla mentioned.
Mexican intelligence, supported by the U.S. army, realized of a rendezvous between the girl and the drug lord and used that info to trace him to a ranch in Jalisco State, Trevilla advised reporters.
Two suspected cartel members have been arrested and a wide range of weapons seized through the operation, together with rocket launchers able to downing airplanes and destroying armored automobiles, the military mentioned.
Authorities additionally introduced the dying of his right-hand man, Hugo H., referred to as “El Tuli.”
Washington has labeled CJNG as a terrorist group and accuses it of sending cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into america.
The raid got here amid ongoing stress from Trump for Mexico to stem the circulation of medicine into america or face stiff tariffs.
Printed – February 24, 2026 07:46 am IST
