Mexico reels after El Mencho’s death as deadly cartel violence spreads
mexico sent thousands of soldiers after a wave of violence erupted following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", leaving at least 25 National Guard members dead and forcing airport and travel disruptions across the country.
Mexico sends thousands of troops after the operation
Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said an extra 2, 500 soldiers were sent to western Mexico on Monday, bringing the total to about 9, 500 troops deployed overall since Sunday. The deployment followed unrest that has touched at least 20 states since El Mencho died in custody shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces in Jalisco state.
How El Mencho was captured and died
Trevilla said forces tracked down a romantic partner the drug lord was meeting. El Mencho was shot during an attempt to capture him in Tapalpa, Jalisco; he was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguards and the military commandos deployed to capture him and died while the military was transporting him to Mexico City. At least six of El Mencho's security guards were killed in the operation and three members of the Mexican military were injured.
Violence, roadblocks and scorched towns
As news of his death spread, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel launched attacks in many towns and cities where the CJNG is active. In some places gunmen blocked roads by throwing spikes and nails on to the tarmac; in others they commandeered buses and other vehicles and torched them in the middle of the road. Smoke was seen billowing from burning buses in Puerto Vallarta, and dozens of banks and local businesses were damaged after being set alight. President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the army's operation and said her priority is to guarantee peace and security across the country, adding: "There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces and there is a lot of co-ordination. " She also said road blocks had been cleared by Monday morning.
Death toll, arrests and claims of revenge
The country's security minister put the toll for National Guard deaths at at least 25 in Jalisco since the violence erupted, with some coverage noting 25 officers killed inside 24 hours. 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. A CJNG member said the violence was in "revenge" for their leader's death.
Wider disruption: airports, travel warnings and public safety
The 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. The US government advised Americans in Jalisco to shelter indoors until further notice; the US State Department opened a 24/7 crisis hotline and called on Americans to shelter in parts of the country including Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta. The UK Foreign Office told Britons to shelter indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Canada cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta airport and flight‑tracking apps showed many aeroplanes returning to their departure destinations around the world. Mexico's president said flights from Puerto Vallarta — where there was significant violence on Sunday — are expected to resume today or tomorrow (see 14. 06 post).
Aeromexico announced that flights to and from airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Tepic will gradually resume from today. German airline Lufthansa said it would be operating flights to Mexico from Frankfurt and Munich today. Federal police were shown guarding the security secretary's building in Mexico City, and residents were warned to stay indoors in affected areas. A newspaper seller in Mexico City displayed the morning's editions dominated by the story.
What the unrest means for the CJNG and public order
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of Mexico's most feared criminal organisations. It is estimated to be worth more than £10bn, has tens of thousands of members and has been responsible for a series of massacres, kidnappings and killings of politicians since its formation in 2009. Some cartel figures retain popularity within local communities because they provide financing for local infrastructure and facilities. Javier Eskauriatza, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham, warned that when you push down on the cartels you get pushback and that a power vacuum created by El Mencho's killing could produce instability as contenders vie to replace him. He added that the cartels have an economic interest in a peaceful World Cup environment, noting they buy restaurants and own hotels and that social media amplifies the CJNG's response.
Flights and travel have begun to restart, some public buildings are being guarded, and troops remain deployed in large numbers while authorities work to restore normalcy. The situation remains fluid and officials have announced the gradual resumption of selected airport services and stepped-up security operations as the next confirmed actions.
