What Is Happening In Mexico Right Now as Violence Surges After Military Raid
Federal forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, after a raid in Jalisco on Sunday, and the country has since seen a wave of retaliatory violence that has emptied streets, closed schools and disrupted travel. What is happening in Mexico right now matters because the operation touched off attacks that killed security personnel, set hundreds of roadblocks and prompted emergency measures across multiple states.
What Is Happening In Mexico Right Now: Raid, Death and Immediate Retaliation
Authorities attempted to capture Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday; the operation produced a firefight that fatally wounded the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and killed six of his accomplices. The death of El Mencho triggered a spree of revenge attacks by cartel gunmen, leaving streets empty as residents sheltered from the violence.
Omar García Harfuch and Casualty Figures
Mexico’s security minister, Omar García Harfuch, announced that retaliatory cartel attacks have killed 25 members of the National Guard and one security guard. He also stated that 30 cartel operatives were killed and that one bystander died amid the confrontations. These figures frame the immediate human toll of the post-raid clashes and prompted intensified security operations.
Claudia Sheinbaum, Clearance of Roadblocks and National Measures
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm as authorities moved to clear widespread disruptions. more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared after foot soldiers of the cartel had been blocking roads by torching cars and buses. The destruction of vehicles and mass blockades forced school closures in parts of the country and left international travellers stranded, while several foreign governments issued travel warnings.
Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Local Disruptions
In Puerto Vallarta, authorities issued public advice to stay indoors when violence erupted; videos showed cars and buildings ablaze and tourists walking on the beach with smoke rising in the distance. In nearby Guadalajara, streets were almost empty as fearful residents stayed home; the city is scheduled to be one of the 2026 World Cup host cities. The director of Guadalajara’s zoo, Luis Soto Rendón, said more than 1, 000 people were stuck overnight inside the zoo and that staff decided to let them remain there for safety, including small children and senior citizens.
Ricardo Trevilla, Intelligence Lead and Airport Operations
Defence minister Ricardo Trevilla said the information that led to the capture and death of El Mencho stemmed from a romantic partner. In the fast-moving aftermath, rumours circulated that major airports had been shut after videos showed people running for cover in airport halls. The government clarified that while some flights had been diverted, the airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Tepic were operating normally.
Analyst Warning and Broader Implications for Cartel Control
David Mora, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, expects violence to spike following the removal of such a centralised figure. He noted that El Mencho ran a highly centralised organisation with no clear direct heir or successor, which could create internal struggles for control and invite rival cartels to launch turf wars. What makes this notable is that removing a single leader can both degrade an organisation’s command and, paradoxically, provoke immediate and widespread violence as factions and competitors react.
The ministry of foreign affairs issued a public reassurance about governance and security under the president’s leadership, stating that the rule of law prevails and that work continues to ensure security and wellbeing. It remains unclear if the violence will continue; past efforts to remove kingpins have produced eruptions of bloodshed and created dangerous power vacuums that fuel further conflict.
For now, the sequence is clear: a Sunday raid intended to capture a most-wanted cartel boss produced his death, which in turn produced a wave of retaliatory attacks that killed security members and civilians, prompted nationwide roadblock clearances and disrupted travel and daily life across multiple states.
