Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," was killed by Mexican security forces, confirmed by Mexico’s defense ministry. His death led to widespread violence, with torched vehicles and blocked highways across multiple states.

Get the latest headlines in your email

El Mencho, aged 59, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico’s most powerful criminal organization. Though less globally recognized than the Sinaloa cartel, his group is infamous for extreme violence and a significant arsenal. The US offered $15 million for his capture due to his alleged drug trafficking activities, including cocaine and fentanyl.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised the development, labeling El Mencho one of the most ruthless kingpins. Landau noted the operation's success as significant for Mexico, the US, and the world, reflecting pressure from US President Donald Trump over border concerns.

El Mencho was killed during a special forces operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The military, with support from air force and intelligence, attempted to capture him. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of four cartel members on site and three en route to Mexico City, including El Mencho. Three military personnel were injured.

The US provided intelligence that assisted in the operation. The Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, which collects intelligence on drug cartels, contributed to the raid.

The operation ignited chaos across eight Mexican states, including Jalisco, Guanajuato, and more. Violent roadblocks with burning vehicles were reported, and footage showed smoke rising over Puerto Vallarta. In Guadalajara, panic erupted with vehicles set ablaze and chaos spreading in the city, a 2026 World Cup host.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged citizens to stay indoors. Public transport was paused, and a warning against travel was issued.

The US embassy in Mexico City advised US citizens in affected areas to shelter in place due to ongoing violence. The Canadian government issued similar warnings.

Airlines canceled flights due to the unrest. Landau emphasized not losing resolve despite terror responses.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured coordination among state governments and advised citizens to stay informed and calm, maintaining that activities continue normally in most areas.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 22 Feb 2026

View full article

Its been a long, long time coming but good for Mexicans. The need to obliterate this diseased group of people that have been terrorizing Mexicans for 80 yrs

3 minutes ago, Slowhand225 said:

Its been a long, long time coming but good for Mexicans. The need to obliterate this diseased group of people that have been terrorizing Mexicans for 80 yrs

Cut off one head and many more appear.

Legalize all drugs and take the power away from the cartels......and give it to the medical cartels. 😆

No easy solution to the human condition.

12 minutes ago, Slowhand225 said:

Its been a long, long time coming but good for Mexicans. The need to obliterate this diseased group of people that have been terrorizing Mexicans for 80 yrs

Yeah, but they also provide income for a large swath of people who otherwise would probably be unemployed.

16 minutes ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

known as "El Mencho,"

Great nickname.

16 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Yeah, but they also provide income for a large swath of people who otherwise would probably be unemployed.

So its ok that I kill people so long as I keep eating at your food cart before I do it.
wow

Just now, Slowhand225 said:

So its ok that I kill people so long as I keep eating at your food cart before I do it.
wow

Most people would rather kill than starve.

In July 1984, Nancy Reagan visited Longfellow Elementary School in Oakland, California, to counsel schoolchildren against drug use. When asked by a schoolgirl on how to respond if offered drugs, Reagan responded "just say no," but the phrase initially went unnoticed. ... In a September 1986 televised address, Nancy and Ronald Reagan credited the initial Oakland organization for popularizing the slogan, which the White House passed onto the National Institute on Drug Abuse to publish marketing developed by the advertising firm DDB Worldwide and the Ad Council nonprofit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Say_No

NB So if everyone in USofA would follow the late Mrs. Reagan's advice, there wouldn't be a problem.

There's minimal actual street fighting. A bunch of fires were set. I am pretty confident that this is another CIA psyop but that is strictly my opinion.

Paid goons sent out to set fires and make it look like mad max on the news. Stoke some more culture warfare. Divert the worlds attention from the middle east for maximum surprise.

This has poured gasoline on the culture war in Canada. All the conservative midwits are getting high and mighty about "the libs" vacationing in Mexico. I am so sick of this culture war BS

13 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Most people would rather kill than starve.

Are you drunk ?

Real question, anyone know this guy and can do a welfare check on him ?

27 minutes ago, Harsh Jones said:

There's minimal actual street fighting. A bunch of fires were set. I am pretty confident that this is another CIA psyop but that is strictly my opinion.

Paid goons sent out to set fires and make it look like mad max on the news. Stoke some more culture warfare. Divert the worlds attention from the middle east for maximum surprise.

This has poured gasoline on the culture war in Canada. All the conservative midwits are getting high and mighty about "the libs" vacationing in Mexico. I am so sick of this culture war BS

Article said the cars set on fire and such is a tactic used by the Cartel to slow down law enforcement.

Fear not Taco Don Don' will stride in and solve another war in about two weeks🤔

47 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Article said the cars set on fire and such is a tactic used by the Cartel to slow down law enforcement.

Canadians on the rooftops of hotels are showing fires being lit completely randomly with no police or army or cartel members to be seen. Silent streets with a bunch of random fires

1 hour ago, Harsh Jones said:

There's minimal actual street fighting. A bunch of fires were set. I am pretty confident that this is another CIA psyop but that is strictly my opinion.

I'm reading (and seeing videos) about gunfire in the airports(s) and American hostage being taken.

Deeper explanation about those "random fires" is that it's a common ploy the cartels use to slow down military responses. Context is important.

Good would have been nice to have him beeing cellies with el chapo in the super max tho…but dead is good to!

2 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

Are you drunk ?

People should boycott the country and stop vacationing there until the govt finally gets rid of the cartels.

Mexico will never get my tourist dollars (again) until they clean it up.

Wasn't this the plot to SICARIO? Life imitating art. Gotta be the CIA. 555

Watching videos.

war zone.

How do you go out and do your groceries without getting shot?

Scary.

2 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Fear not Taco Don Don' will stride in and solve another war in about two weeks🤔

Mexican president does not want US to intervene.

But maybe this situation will be a catalyst for the Mexican govt to enlist the help of US ... or maybe not.

Edit: Just heard that US special forces may have been involved in taking him down.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

I'm reading (and seeing videos) about gunfire in the airports(s) and American hostage being taken.

Deeper explanation about those "random fires" is that it's a common ploy the cartels use to slow down military responses. Context is important.

It is a CIA psyop regardless

US was offering 10 million.

So not too hard to find a snitch for 10 million, I guess.

38 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Mexican president does not want US to intervene.

But maybe this situation will be a catalyst for the Mexican govt to enlist the help of US ... or maybe not.

Edit: Just heard that US special forces may have been involved in taking him down.

There was a lot of sharing and working together before trump insulted our southern neighbors so I suspect there’s a lot less now anyway another one bites the dust that’s a good day in my view.

3 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

So its ok that I kill people so long as I keep eating at your food cart before I do it.
wow

Leftie reasoning, also matching,

You can bring in as many stabby, raping, Muslims as long as they vote for my party.

The only problem with drug cartels is violence not drugs.

That's an American problem. US, stay out of México's affairs!

Unfortunately, it won't solve anything as another boss or cartel will replace him.

It's a pity that Mexico cannot get rid of cartels. Such an interesting country and nice people!

I'm rather shocked to see this has hit Puerto Vallarta. Guadalajara of course. But previously PV was seen as a very well.protected mass tourism zone with an informal "understanding" with the cartels.

Coincidentally Mexico has just made things significantly harder and more expensive for expats seeking residency

Oh well.

Another case of Mexico so far from God and so close to the United States.

8 hours ago, JerryM said:

In July 1984, Nancy Reagan visited Longfellow Elementary School in Oakland, California, to counsel schoolchildren against drug use. When asked by a schoolgirl on how to respond if offered drugs, Reagan responded "just say no," but the phrase initially went unnoticed. ... In a September 1986 televised address, Nancy and Ronald Reagan credited the initial Oakland organization for popularizing the slogan, which the White House passed onto the National Institute on Drug Abuse to publish marketing developed by the advertising firm DDB Worldwide and the Ad Council nonprofit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Say_No

NB So if everyone in USofA would follow the late Mrs. Reagan's advice, there wouldn't be a problem.

She didn't mean it, she was trying to make up for all the crack cocaine Ronnie dumped in America so he could fund the Contras

5 hours ago, Tug said:

There was a lot of sharing and working together before trump insulted our southern neighbors so I suspect there’s a lot less now anyway another one bites the dust that’s a good day in my view.

No there wasn't, stop making things up.

Mexico went south after the free trade agreement. Before that, everyone knew their place and acted accordingly. Greed, greed changes everything and the cartels weren't going to be left out

4 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

No there wasn't, stop making things up.

Mexico went south after the free trade agreement. Before that, everyone knew their place and acted accordingly. Greed, greed changes everything and the cartels weren't going to be left out

Nonsense and don’t disrespect the men and women that have been murdered by those narcos.Furthermore how do you think a proud sovereign nation would react to a convicted felon threatening their sovereignty?There was and I suspect still is cooperating between our nations tho probably to a lesser degree with this caustic idiot we are stuck with now.

I'll be going to Mexico a lot more now. The violence usually scares away the midwit families and old people. And prices fall. I went last time in 2012 when there was violence in Mazatlan.

I drove through a cartel checkpoint with a rented Jeep.