Mexico’s drug trafficking map has undergone its biggest shake-up in the last decade. This Sunday, federal government sources confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” the top leader of the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG).
The drug lord, who for years evaded justice, was killed in a high-precision operation carried out by federal forces, after which a wave of violence was unleashed in several states of the country, mainly in Jalisco.
The operation in the heart of Jalisco
🚨 Shootings in downtown Guadalajara
Gunshots were fired a few meters away from the Guadalajara Cathedral, in the heart of downtown Guadalajara.
📹 @ahtziricardenas pic.twitter.com/Hn52Wq5GYN
– Azucena Uresti (@azucenau) February 22, 2026
The military action in which El Mencho was killed took place in the municipality of Tapalpa, a “magic town” located some 130 kilometers south of Guadalajara.
According to initial reports, the confrontation began in the early hours of Sunday, when elite Army and National Guard units located the criminal leader’s hideout.
The exchange of gunfire went on for several minutes, transforming the tranquility of the region into a scene of war.
Although authorities have not yet provided details of the total number of casualties on the criminal side, the death of Oseguera Cervantes has been confirmed by official sources to EFE news agency.
A reign of terror and fentanyl
🔥📍Confrontations continue in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
Federal forces are carrying out several deployments in different parts of this mountainous municipality.
📹 Courtesy pic.twitter.com/uYWUXiD40V
– EL OCCIDENTAL (@ELOCCIDENTAL) February 22, 2026
“El Mencho, 56, was not only the most wanted man in Mexico, but a priority target for the White House.
Under his command, the CJNG became a criminal corporation with a presence in almost every state in Mexico and on five continents.
Washington accused him of leading a “reign of terror” and of being primarily responsible for flooding U.S. streets with fentanyl.
For their capture, the U.S. government offered a $15 million reward, labeling the group as a terrorist organization since last year.
Mexico on alert: Blockades and violence
The Security Cabinet reports that coordinated operations are being carried out in the state of Jalisco, with the participation of the institutions that make up the Security Cabinet.
The actions are carried out to protect the citizenship and to promptly attend to the…
– Mexican Security Cabinet (@GabSeguridadMX) February 22, 2026
The fall of the leader has not gone unanswered.
Minutes after the killing was confirmed, the armed wing of the CJNG activated a series of violent reprisals in various parts of the country.
Narco-blockades, burning of vehicles and attacks on businesses have been reported in:
Jalisco: Smoke plume at the entrances to Guadalajara.
Guanajuato: Convenience stores set on fire.
Michoacán, Colima and Nayarit: Roads blocked with cargo trucks.
Tamaulipas: Reports of clashes resulting from instability.
What’s next for the CJNG?
NARCOBLOCKOUTS by JALISCO @GobiernoJalisco, MICHOACÁN @GobMichoacan, GUANAJUATO @guanajuato…
It is the reaction of the CJNG, before the operation executed by @SSPCMexico @SEMAR_mx @Defensamx1 in Jalisco.
Vehicles, trailers, burned businesses, blockades, armed clashes… pic.twitter.com/bhWvBp78b8– Carlos Jimenez (@c4jimenez) February 22, 2026
The death of “El Mencho” opens a scenario of uncertainty.
Security experts suggest that this could spark an internal succession war or, in the worst case scenario, an advance by the Sinaloa Cartel into the plazas dominated by the Jalisco group.
For now, the security deployment in the west of the country is massive.
The Security Cabinet is expected to hold a press conference in the coming hours to give details on the forensic identification of the body and the current status of the offensive against the cartel.
Filed under: El Mencho dies
