On February 22, 2026, Mexican druglord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was shot and killed in Tapalpa, Mexico during a military operation. El Mencho was the co-founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generational Cartel (CJNG) and was notorious for being one of the most wanted criminals in the world, as well as a main target for both the American and Mexican governments. Before his killing, El Mencho was a fugitive and the subject of a reward for $15 million for information to assist in his arrest under the U.S. Department of State Narcotics Rewards Program. The CJNG has grown rapidly over the past few years and has become one of the primary traffickers of fentanyl and methamphetamines into the United States. They have made billions in profit from the manufacturing of illegal synthetic drugs as well as being one of the main cocaine suppliers to the U.S.
The Mexican government had been in pursuit of El Mencho for years until they received a concrete tip about where he could be located on February 20, 2026. Their investigation into his connections and network, along with the help from American spy agencies, led them to an associate of one of El Mencho’s romantic partners who could help authorities access his hideout. He was tracked down to a property in Tapalpa, a mountain town in central-western Mexico. On February 21, military troops began a predawn raid which was followed by special forces, military aircraft and helicopters, as well as the National Guard locking down the area in the early morning of February 22. As the soldiers advanced towards the property, cartel gunmen opened fire. Troops fired back, killing multiple suspected CJNG members. El Mencho attempted to escape by fleeing to a wooden cabin nearby but was caught in a second round of gunfire. He was found wounded with two bodyguards and died while being airlifted to a hospital.
Following El Mencho’s killing, cartel bosses responded immediately. Hugo César Macías Ureña, or “El Tuli,” a top operator of finances within CJNG and El Mencho’s right-hand man, organized multiple attacks in Jalisco to retaliate. It was shared by Mexican authorities that he led arson attacks, damaged government buildings, and roadblocks as well as offered a $1,100 bounty for the killing of each military member. El Tuli was killed later on February 22 by officers after attempting to flee from the authorities. “Whenever the head of the cartel gets taken down there’s many people ready to take their place, and there’s always fighting to see who’s going to do it, and in that fighting a lot of innocent people get killed,” said a Mexican Garfield parent when asked about the effect of killing of the head of the cartel.
The US has yet to offer aid to Mexican citizens after the outbreak of violence occurred, and has only offered incentives for the arrest of more cartel members. “I think it’s very frustrating for the US government to come in to interfere and then step away without appropriate support,” said the parent.
Since the raid, violence has quickly spread across Mexico, with cartel members blocking highways and lighting vehicles on fire in multiple states. Over 200 flights have been canceled by various airlines due to the violence. Additionally, classes have been suspended by schools and universities, and residents were urged by local authorities to stay inside. When asked about the conditions for Mexican citizens, a Garfield student with family in Mexico said “they’re not safe. They can’t leave their houses, or send their kids to school…All my family who lives in Mexico, I am worried for them… it’s just a huge ripple effect that I don’t think the US took account of.” With the increase in violence Mexico citizens were advised to shelter in place due to the violence caused by cartel members. It was reported that 25 National Guard members and 30 suspected gang members were killed during the chaos after the operation.
Although one of Mexico’s most notorious crime leaders is now gone for good, the removal of someone so powerful has caused widespread danger, fear, and harm.
