Violence erupted across 13 Mexican states after the death of CJNG cartel leader El Mencho, with armed groups setting fires and blocking roads.
Violence and Blockades
The slain leader headed the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, one of the most powerful and brutal criminal organizations in the country, responsible for smuggling cocaine and fentanyl into the United States.
The most serious incidents were recorded in Jalisco state, a CJNG stronghold. Armed groups stopped trucks and passenger buses, forcing drivers and passengers to leave vehicles before setting them on fire. Blockades also appeared in the states of Nayarit, Colima, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Baja California, Oaxaca, Aguascalientes, Guerrero, and Tamaulipas on the Gulf of Mexico.
Business Attacks and Travel Disruptions
In the Puerto Vallarta resort, a Costco hypermarket was set on fire. Local media also reported fires at Oxxo stores, pharmacies, and service points. Jalisco authorities contacted hoteliers, recommending that guests remain in their rooms until the situation stabilizes.
Arsons also occurred in Juchitán de Zaragoza in Oaxaca state, in the Tehuantepec Isthmus region. Incidents were also reported in popular resort areas of Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. The entrance to Cancún from Mérida via highway was temporarily closed, but was reopened the same evening.
Flight Cancellations and School Closures
United, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and Canadian carriers Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing announced the cancellation of Sunday flights to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo. By evening, Mexican airports were operating normally, but the carriers’ decisions showed the extent of the concern.
At least nine states – including Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Michoacán, and Colima – suspended Monday classes in educational institutions. The University of Guadalajara announced the suspension of academic and administrative activities due to concerns for the safety of students and staff.
Military Operation and International Involvement
Mexico’s Ministry of Defense reported that Oseguera Cervantes was mortally wounded during a military operation against cartels. According to the ministry, the United States provided Mexico with “supplementary information” that supported the actions of the armed forces.
Reuters, citing an anonymous source in the US military, reported that the Joint Interagency Task Force Against Cartels – JIATF-CC, which reports to US armed forces, played a role in the operation. The task force was established at the end of last year to gather intelligence on cartel structures on both sides of the US-Mexico border. A US official stated that the operation was carried out by Mexican forces, without specifying the extent of the support.
Context and Current Situation
The death of the CJNG leader comes amid pressure from President Trump’s administration on President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government to decisively fight cartels smuggling fentanyl into the United States. Trump publicly suggested the possibility of striking cartels on Mexican territory, which caused diplomatic tensions.
CJNG has expanded its network of synthetic drug trafficking, including fentanyl, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually in the US. The organization has become notorious for its brutal methods, public executions, and attacks on officials.
On Sunday evening, the situation remained tense in many regions, although some roads had been unblocked. Federal authorities increased the presence of the National Guard and military in Jalisco and neighboring states, announcing the continuation of operations against CJNG structures.
