Mexico City, February 23, 2026 — In a watershed moment for North American security, the Mexican military has confirmed the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Known as “El Mencho,” his death has decapitated Mexico’s most powerful criminal empire but ignited a firestorm of retaliatory violence that has paralyzed major cities and triggered international travel alerts.

The “Tapalpa” Operation: A High-Stakes Takedown

On Sunday, February 22, elite units of the Mexican Army and National Guard, supported by the Air Force, launched a surgical strike on a safe house in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco. Acting on “complementary intelligence” provided by a new US-led task force (JITF-CC), federal forces engaged in a fierce gun battle with the cartel’s inner circle.

While four operatives were killed at the scene, El Mencho was seriously wounded. The 59-year-old kingpin, who once worked as a police officer before building a multi-billion dollar drug empire, succumbed to his injuries while being airlifted to Mexico City. The raid also yielded a terrifying arsenal, including rocket launchers capable of bringing down aircraft.

Retaliation: 250+ “Narco-Blockades” Across 20 States

The announcement of El Mencho’s death triggered a coordinated wave of “narco-terrorism.” Cartel gunmen seized buses, cargo trucks, and private vehicles, setting them ablaze to create 252 blockades across 20 Mexican states.

• Ghost Cities: Major hubs like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta saw public transport suspended and schools closed as residents hunkered down in a state-imposed “Code Red.”
• Airport Chaos: Panicked travelers at Guadalajara International Airport were filmed sprinting for cover amid reports of active shooters and arson nearby.
• Commercial Targets: In Guanajuato alone, over 60 arson attacks targeted banks and Oxxo convenience stores to maximize economic disruption.

The “Trump Factor” and Diplomatic Tensions

The timing of the raid is seen as a strategic victory for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has faced immense pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to produce “high-value” results against fentanyl trafficking. Trump celebrated the news with a characteristic post on Truth Social: “We’re Winning too much, it’s just not fair!”

While no American boots were on the ground, the use of U.S. military-grade intelligence to target a cartel leader marks an unprecedented level of bilateral cooperation, treating the cartels effectively as foreign terrorist organizations.

Safety Alerts: India and Others Issue “Shelter-in-Place”

With the violence spilling into tourist zones, the Indian Embassy in Mexico City joined the U.S. and Canada in issuing an urgent advisory. Indian nationals in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, and Michoacán have been told to avoid all non-essential movement and shelter in place. Major airlines, including United and Air Canada, have suspended flights to the region indefinitely as smoke from burning vehicles continues to billow over luxury resorts.

Bottom Line

The fall of El Mencho ends the reign of a man who transformed drug trafficking into a militarized industry. However, the immediate cost has been a nation in flames. As the CJNG enters a bloody succession struggle, the “victory” in Tapalpa feels more like the start of a new, more unpredictable war than the end of an old one.