A large-scale operation against cartels was carried out in Mexico: after the elimination of the leader “El Mencho”, a wave of violence shook seven states
A bus used as a roadblock by organized crime burns following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Gabriel Trujillo
Mexican federal forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, during a raid in the municipality of Tapalpa, Jalisco, on February 22, 2026. In response, cartel members unleashed a wave of violence in at least seven Mexican states, burning vehicles, businesses, and blocking roads.
This is reported by La Jornada .
Start of the operation in Tapalpa
In the early morning of February 22, the Mexican army launched a force operation in the municipality of Tapalpa, about 150 kilometers south of Guadalajara. It was during this operation that Oseguera Cervantes, who was considered one of the main targets in the fight against organized crime by the Mexican and US governments, was eliminated.
The cartel led by the deceased emerged in 2007. Initially, its members collaborated with drug traffickers associated with the Sinaloa cartel, in particular with Edgar Valdez Villarreal, nicknamed “Barbie”, and Arturo Beltran Leyva, the future leader of the Beltran Leyva brothers’ cartel.
In response to the leader’s elimination, armed groups blocked roads, set fire to vehicles, gas stations, pharmacies, and stores in many areas of the state of Jalisco, including Guadalajara and the coast as far as Puerto Vallarta.
State Governor Pablo Lemus declared a statewide code red and convened a permanent security meeting involving three levels of government.
“Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which led to clashes in the region. Also, in different points in this region and other parts of Jalisco, individuals set fire to and blocked vehicles to obstruct the actions of the authorities,” said Governor Lemus.
Spread of violence to other states
Following the events in Jalisco, a wave of violence spread to several neighboring states. In Michoacán, drug blockades were recorded in at least 13 municipalities:
- Apatzingan;
- Buenavista;
- Salvador Escalante;
- Tanganyikaro;
- Ishtlan;
- Ecuador;
- Churintsio;
- Zamora;
- Hikilpan;
- Uruapan;
- La Piedad;
- Yurecuaro;
- Hakon.
Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedollha called an emergency security meeting and ordered the strengthening of the borders with Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Colima.
“We are acting decisively and responsibly to guarantee the peace of citizens,” said Governor Ramirez Bedollha.
In the state of Colima, local authorities also met for a permanent security meeting. By 11:00 a.m., at least 5 vehicles were confirmed to have been set on fire on various sections of the road.
In Guanajuato, the violence spread to six municipalities — Guanajuato, Moroeleón, Iranuato, Silao, Leon and Purisima del Rincon — where shops and pharmacies were set on fire. The state’s security secretariat said there were no casualties, only material damage. A joint operation involving the army, the National Guard and local police was launched in response.
The violence has spread further to the east and south of the country. Nayarit Governor Miguel Angel Navarro Quintero has urged residents to stay indoors, with vehicles set on fire in at least nine municipalities in the state. The Nayarit Security Secretariat has advised residents to:
- avoid federal highways 200 and 15 completely;
- do not attempt to cross or overcome blockades;
- avoid unnecessary movements;
- maintain contact with relatives.
“We are strengthening all state borders to maintain order and protect the families of Nayarit. I ask you to stay home and not gather in crowded places, and in case of an emergency, call 911,” said Governor Navarro Quintero.
In Aguascalientes, blockades were confirmed on Highway 45 North and Federal Highway 70 East. In Oaxaca, at least 7 public, freight and private vehicles were set on fire in the Isthmus de Tehuantepec region. Passengers on one of the buses reported that 2 armed individuals stopped the vehicle, ordered 20 passengers to get out and set it on fire, calling it a “narco-message”. In response, the Oaxaca government launched Operation Casador, involving federal and local law enforcement agencies.
In Veracruz, truck fires and blockades were reported in the central and northern parts of the state, while in the city of Tucson, residents reported a shootout between the army and organized crime. The transport company Gruno Estrella Blanca canceled all flights from Poza Rica.
“To protect our passengers, all transportation lines have ceased operations on the recommendation of government authorities,” the company said in a statement.
At the time of publication, Veracruz Governor Rocio Nale Garcia had not made any official statement regarding the situation in the state.
Recall that in January, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to intensify the fight against drug cartels and take active action in Mexico . This includes possible strikes and ground operations against drug trafficking groups.
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