What Is Happening in Mexico Right Now: El Mencho Killed, Cartel Violence Erupts Across Nation
What is happening in Mexico right now is one of the most dramatic security crises the country has seen in years. The Mexican military killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes — known as "El Mencho" — the feared leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), triggering an immediate and violent nationwide backlash that has paralyzed cities, grounded flights, and forced both U.S. and Canadian citizens to shelter in place.
El Mencho Is Dead: How the Operation Unfolded
On Sunday, February 22, Mexican special forces — with U.S. intelligence support — moved in to arrest El Mencho in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco. During the raid, CJNG operatives opened fire on military forces. Four cartel members were killed at the scene. El Mencho was critically wounded and airlifted toward Mexico City, where he died en route. The U.S. DEA had placed a $15 million bounty on his head. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum credited the army, National Guard, and security cabinet for the operation.
Cartel Violence Spreads Across 20 States
The retaliation was near-instantaneous. What is happening in Mexico right now is a coordinated wave of cartel reprisals spanning at least 20 of Mexico's 32 states. Key flashpoints include:
| State/City | Reported Incidents |
|---|---|
| Jalisco (Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta) | Vehicle fires, road blockades, city shutdown |
| Tamaulipas (Reynosa) | Roadblocks, unrest |
| Michoacán | 13 municipalities affected |
| Colima, Guanajuato, Nayarit | Highway blockades, burning vehicles |
| Guerrero, Veracruz, Aguascalientes | Reported unrest |
At least 73 people have been killed since the operation, including 25 National Guard officers, a state police officer, and multiple CJNG operatives.
U.S. and Canadian Citizens Ordered to Shelter in Place
The U.S. Embassy issued emergency shelter-in-place orders for American citizens across Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León. U.S. government consulate staff in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Reynosa, and Tijuana are working remotely. While no airports have been officially closed, most domestic and international flights out of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta have been cancelled due to roadblocks blocking access routes. Canada has similarly warned its roughly 26,000 registered citizens in Mexico to follow local shelter-in-place guidance.
Guadalajara Ghost Town — and the 2026 World Cup Question
What is happening in Mexico right now carries particular urgency given the timing. Guadalajara is a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Estadio Akron scheduled to host four group stage matches. More immediately, the stadium is set to host a World Cup playoff tournament on March 26–28 — just over a month away. FIFA has not publicly commented on the unrest as of publication. The inaugural World Cup match is slated for Estadio Azteca in Mexico City between Mexico and South Africa.
What Comes Next: The Succession Question
Security analysts warn the real danger may still be ahead. The CJNG operates more as a federation than a strict hierarchy, meaning regional factions could splinter and fight for control. Experts describe a "three-pronged dilemma" now facing the cartel: containing internal subfactions, repelling rival cartels, and negotiating a new understanding with the government. President Sheinbaum has previously criticized the "kingpin strategy," noting that eliminating cartel leaders historically triggers escalating violence rather than lasting peace. Mexico has deployed an additional 2,000 military troops to Jalisco as the situation remains fluid.
