The Fall of El Mencho and the Jalisco Crisis

On February 22, 2026, a major security operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, resulted in the death of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This event is regarded as one of the most significant strikes against organized crime in Mexico in recent history, ending a multi-year manhunt for one of the world's most-wanted fugitives.The Operation The mission was a high-level intervention led by the Mexican Army, with support from the National Guard, the Mexican Air Force, and intelligence personnel from the Attorney General’s Office. Reports indicate that the operation was further aided by intelligence provided by United States agencies. The objective was to apprehend Oseguera Cervantes after surveillance placed him in a stronghold in the Sierra Madre mountain range.During the execution of the raid, security forces encountered heavy armed resistance from cartel members. In the exchange of gunfire, seven cartel operatives, including the leader, were killed. Oseguera Cervantes was critically wounded during the battle and died from his injuries while being evacuated by helicopter to Mexico City. In addition to the fatalities, authorities arrested two suspects and seized an arsenal that included armored vehicles and rocket-propelled grenades. Three members of the armed forces were wounded during the initial confrontation.Immediate Aftermath and Violence The death of the CJNG leader triggered an immediate and violent retaliation across several Mexican states. Cartel members established coordinated road blockades, known as "narco-bloqueos," by hijacking and torching cargo trucks, buses, and private cars. These blockades were reported in at least 15 states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Colima.In the Guadalajara metropolitan area, authorities confirmed over 20 active blockade points. The violence extended to commercial and public infrastructure; dozens of convenience stores and bank branches were damaged or set on fire. In Guanajuato, more than 70 attacks were recorded across 23 municipalities, the majority of which were arson.Impact on Security and Transportation The scale of the unrest led the Governor of Jalisco to issue a "Code Red" alert. Public transport services in Guadalajara were temporarily suspended, and long-distance bus routes to western Mexico were cancelled.Travel and tourism were severely disrupted. Puerto Vallarta International Airport suspended all operations as access roads became impassable due to burning vehicles. In Guadalajara International Airport, reports of explosions and gunmen near the terminals led to scenes of chaos, with passengers fleeing across the tarmac for safety. In response to the volatility, the governments of the United States and Canada issued emergency alerts, ordering their citizens in the affected regions to shelter in place.Context and Casualties The total loss of life included at least seven members of the National Guard, a jail guard in Puerto Vallarta, and an agent from the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office.Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes had been a primary target for both Mexican and U.S. law enforcement for over a decade, with bounties for his capture reaching $15 million. A former police officer, he founded the CJNG and grew it into a global criminal empire notorious for its use of extreme violence and military-grade weaponry. His death marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between the Mexican state and the cartels, though it has also ushered in a period of intense instability in the regions formerly under his firm control.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-world-between-us--6886561/support.