Mexico has entered a state of national emergency after federal forces killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a high-stakes military raid on Sunday. The death of one of the world’s most-wanted drug lords has unleashed a wave of retaliatory violence across 20 states, forcing the closure of schools, the deployment of thousands of troops, and the cancellation of professional sporting events.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Oseguera Cervantes was fatally wounded during a special forces operation in the mountain town of Tapalpa, Jalisco. According to the Associated Press, the 59-year-old kingpin died while being airlifted to Mexico City for medical treatment. The raid, which was supported by U.S. intelligence, also resulted in the deaths of seven cartel operatives and left several soldiers wounded.
In the hours following the announcement, the CJNG orchestrated more than 250 "narco-blockades", setting fire to buses and commercial businesses in major hubs including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. The violence has been particularly lethal for security forces; the Associated Press reported that 25 National Guard members were killed in coordinated ambushes across Jalisco.
"The good guys are stronger than the bad guys," said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who praised the operation as a "great development" for bilateral security. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt further confirmed that the U.S. provided critical intelligence.
As of Tuesday, local authorities in Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit have kept schools closed to protect civilians from the crossfire. In Guadalajara—a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the Mexican soccer league postponed several high-profile matches as security forces struggled to clear burning debris from major highways.
Security analysts warn that the "decapitation" of the CJNG may trigger internal power struggles. Gerardo Rodriguez, a security analyst for AFP, noted that while the operation was a tactical success, the government may have underestimated the "national reach" of the cartel's violent response.