Jalisco: Mexican army kills 'El Mencho' in Tapalpa, jalisco operation triggers nationwide unrest
The Mexican Army says it killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho, " after an operation at dawn on Sunday in the municipality of Tapalpa in the state of jalisco. The death of the 59-year-old leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación set off blockades and attacks across multiple states, raising fear among residents and foreign tourists.
Operation in Tapalpa left the cartel leader gravely wounded and later dead
The Secretaría de Defensa Nacional de México said the army carried out the operation at dawn in Tapalpa that left Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, 59, gravely injured. The statement said he later died while being transported to Ciudad de México. The Secretaría also said several members of the cartel died in the operation.
Seizures, rocket launchers and battlefield casualties
The Secretaría reported that authorities seized several armoured vehicles and weapons during the operation, including rocket launchers described as having the capacity to down aircraft. It added that six other members of the cartel died in the operation, and three military personnel were wounded and transferred to a hospital in Ciudad de México for emergency care.
Immediate backlash: burnings, blockades and attacks on businesses
The death of the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación provoked a wave of blockades and attacks on businesses. The official record showed 252 blockades of roads and streets in 20 states; the communiqué said roughly 90% had been deactivated by 20: 00 local time (02: 00 GMT Monday). In several cities there were reported attacks on pharmacies and stores, a tactic used by criminal groups against local and federal authorities.
Jalisco governor and president urge calm amid visible unrest
Jalisco governor Pablo Lemus confirmed that the operation produced "enfrentamientos en la zona" and said that, in reaction, "en distintos puntos de Jalisco individuos han quemado y atravesado vehículos para inhibir la acción de las autoridades. " He recommended people avoid going out unless necessary. President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on the social network X that "existe absoluta coordinación con gobiernos de todos los estados, " adding, "Debemos mantenernos informados y en calma" and "En la mayor parte del territorio nacional se desarrollan actividades con plena normalidad. "
Images and eyewitness accounts underline local fear and uncertainty
Despite official reassurances, people in several parts of the country posted images of burned vehicles and damaged stores. The images showed columns of smoke in Guadalajara, which is named among the host cities for an upcoming World Cup that begins in less than four months. Witnesses also said they saw armed men in the streets of Jalisco and other places, and foreign tourists in cities such as Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara experienced fear and uncertainty.
