Mexico violence after El Mencho killing leaves at least 25 National Guard dead and raises World Cup security fears

The death of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", has triggered a wave of unrest across Mexico that left at least 25 members of the National Guard dead and prompted large-scale security measures. The scale and spread of the violence matters both for public safety and for the country's readiness to host major international events this summer.

El Mencho death and capture details

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was captured and seriously injured during an operation by Mexican military commandos. Forces tracked down a romantic partner he was meeting, and the operation included a firefight between his bodyguards and the commandos. El Mencho was shot during the capture attempt in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, and died while being transported to Mexico City. At least six of his security guards were killed in the operation and three members of the Mexican military were injured. Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said 2, 500 soldiers have been sent to the west of the country to bolster security.

Scale of violence: National Guard and civilian toll

During the unrest that followed El Mencho's death, at least 25 members of Mexico's National Guard were killed. Security secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said a prison guard, a member of the state prosecutor's office and 30 members of El Mencho's criminal organisation were killed in the unrest since his death. Dozens of banks and local businesses have been damaged after being set alight, and residents and officials have described scenes of burning vehicles and widespread property damage.

How the violence has played out on the ground

A member of Mexico's National Guard was pictured standing near the charred wreckage of a bus that appears to have been set on fire by organised crime groups in Jalisco. As news of El Mencho's death spread, members of the CJNG launched attacks in many towns and cities where the cartel is active. In some towns they blocked roads by throwing spikes and nails onto the tarmac; in others they commandeered buses and torched them in the middle of the road. roadblocks had been cleared by Monday morning, but multiple towns experienced heavy disruption.

Mexico security and World Cup hosting concerns

Experts warned that the eruption of cartel violence could compromise Mexico's co-hosting of this summer's Fifa World Cup. Guadalajara is scheduled to host four matches, Mexico City five matches and Monterrey four matches at the tournament. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has engaged in gun shootouts with the military, blocked roads and burned vehicles as part of the response to El Mencho's death. Violence began in central-western Jalisco, where a code red security situation has been declared, and spread to at least a dozen more regions, with videos showing gunmen patrolling streets and smoke billowing over cities.

Assistant professor Javier Eskauriatza, of the University of Nottingham, warned that when pressure is applied to cartels there can be violent pushback and that a power vacuum after a leader's death could lead to instability as contenders vie to replace him. The CJNG is estimated to be worth more than £10bn, has tens of thousands of members and has been linked to massacres, kidnappings and killings of politicians since its formation in 2009. Some cartel figures retain local popularity because they provide financing for infrastructure and local facilities, and there is analysis that cartels have an economic interest in making sure major events are peaceful.

Authorities' responses and immediate disruptions

President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the army operation that led to El Mencho's death and said her priority is to guarantee peace and security across the country, adding that there is calm, a government presence, armed forces and coordinated action. Federal police were shown guarding the security secretary's building in Mexico City. The US State Department opened a 24/7 crisis hotline and called on Americans to shelter in specified tourist areas, including Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta. The UK Foreign Office issued advice for Britons to shelter indoors, and the Canadian government cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta. Flight tracking apps showed many aeroplanes returning to their departure destinations as the unrest unfolded.

Mexico's president said flights from Puerto Vallarta were expected to resume today or tomorrow. Aeromexico announced flights to and from Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Tepic will gradually resume from today. A German carrier said it would be operating flights to Mexico from Frankfurt and Munich today. Newspaper sellers in Mexico City displayed the morning's editions dominated by the story of the violence.

What remains uncertain and immediate outlook

The violence has already spread beyond Jalisco to multiple states and regions, and the situation continues to evolve. A CJNG member described the unrest as an act of revenge for El Mencho's death. Authorities have increased troop deployments and security measures, but further developments and the longer-term implications for public safety and international events remain uncertain in the provided context.