El Mencho killed in Mexican military operation as violence spreads across eight states

el mencho, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel and Mexico's most wanted man, was killed during a security operation to arrest him, triggering violent reprisals and travel warnings across multiple states.

El Mencho killed after clashes in Tapalpa

The defence ministry said the operation was "planned and executed" by the country's special forces and that El Mencho died on Sunday while being taken to Mexico City after being seriously injured in clashes between his supporters and the army. Four CJNG members were killed in the town of Tapalpa in central-western Jalisco state, and three army personnel were injured.

Armed response and weapons seized

Aircraft from the Mexican Air Force and the National Guard were deployed during the operation. The defence ministry said several armoured vehicles and weapons — including rocket launchers — were seized. The US had given Mexico information that assisted the operation.

Cartel backlash sparks fires and roadblocks across eight states

CJNG retaliated by setting cars alight, building roadblocks and attacking security forces in eight states. Eyewitnesses filmed plumes of smoke rising over several cities including Guadalajara, one of the host cities of the forthcoming Fifa World Cup. A burning bus that appears to have been used as a roadblock was seen during the unrest.

Tourists trapped and US shelter-in-place warnings

In the tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta on the Jalisco coast, potentially thousands of tourists are trapped in the resort because of the unrest. The US State Department issued a shelter-in-place warning for US citizens in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, as well as some areas in Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.

Criminal reach and a $15m reward

El Mencho, a 59-year-old former police officer, ran a vast criminal organisation responsible for trafficking huge quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US. The US State Department had offered a $15m (£11. 1m) reward for information leading to El Mencho's capture.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo urged people to remain "calm" and, in a post on X, wrote that "in most parts of the country, activities are proceeding normally. " It is unclear in the provided context what follow-up operations or official next steps have been scheduled.