Following the confirmed death of Nemesio Oceguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho” in a federal operation, suspected members of organized crime have blocked different roads in the states of Jalisco, Michoacan (western Mexico) and Tamaulipas (north) on Sunday with burned vehicles, and burned several businesses in Guanajuato (west), amid clashes with federal security forces, according to authorities.
The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, confirmed that a federal operation in the municipality of Tapalpa, in the south of the state, “has resulted in confrontations in the area” and that, as a reaction, “in different points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals have burned and crossed vehicles to inhibit the action of the authorities”.
Narco-blockades are registered after Mencho’s death
CJNG Cartel Members have launched mass attacks across Mexico after their leader was taken out in a special operation. I edited this compilation together so you can see how bad it really is! pic.twitter.com/UQkhHePnE1
– Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) February 22, 2026
Lemus said that he ordered the activation of the “code red” to protect the population after the drug blockades following the death of El Mencho, while public transportation has been temporarily suspended in some areas, and that a Security Roundtable has been installed, which will be in permanent session, in coordination with federal forces.
In Michoacán, the state Public Security Secretariat reported roadblocks that occurred as part of “efforts to capture criminal targets”, without giving further details.
While at the bus terminal in Morelia, capital of Michoacán, departures have been suspended until further notice.
In Guanajuato, the Secretariat of Security and Peace confirmed that “burnings have been registered in pharmacies and convenience stores in different parts of Guanajuato” as a result of the federal action.
And in northern Tamaulipas, the state spokesperson has reported blockades with burned vehicles on different highways throughout the morning.
Local media have also reported fires in avenues and businesses in Colima, Nayarit (west) and Aguascalientes (center), without confirmation from authorities.
In images disseminated by the media and social networks, burning vehicles can be seen crossing roads and columns of smoke visible from several meters away in Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Nayarit, Tamaulipas and Aguascalientes. Images are also circulating of burned businesses in Guanajuato.
So far, no injuries have been reported.
The Security Cabinet of the Mexican Government indicated in a communiqué that “the blockades that are being dealt with in some areas of Jalisco as a result of operations carried out by federal institutions”.
Authorities have urged the population to stay indoors due to the risk and to avoid the areas where blockades and confrontations are taking place.
Filed under: Narcoblockades after Mencho’s death
With information from EFE
