The Mexican army announced on Sunday, February 22nd that it had killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel—in an operation that then triggered a wave of violence across parts of the country.
According to a military statement, the 59-year-old drug lord was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state. He later died while being flown to Mexico City. Oseguera had a $15 million (€12.7 million) bounty on his head offered by the United States.
In retaliation for the raid, cartel gunmen blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco, setting fire to cars and trucks. As unrest spread, at least eight states suspended in-person classes, while the judiciary authorized judges to close courts where necessary.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens to remain calm amid the escalating violence.
Oseguera is among the most significant Mexican cartel figures to be killed or captured since the arrests of Sinaloa cartel founders Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and Ismael Zambada, both of whom are serving prison sentences in the United States.
The army said the operation was carried out using Mexico’s military intelligence, with “complementary information” provided by U.S. authorities. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Washington offered intelligence support.
Six suspected cartel gunmen were killed during the operation, and three soldiers were wounded. Authorities also arrested two cartel suspects and seized a cache of weapons, including rocket launchers capable of downing aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.
Jalisco state, which is scheduled to host four FIFA World Cup football matches this summer, canceled all large public events. In the state capital Guadalajara, streets were largely deserted as businesses, pharmacies, and gas stations shut their doors.
