Many Mexicans fear greater violence after the army kills "El Mencho," a cartel leader
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GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Following the murder of Jalisco New Generation Cartel boss Nemesio
Oseguera Cervantes, Mexico Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch reported Monday that 25 National Guard troops had been killed in six different attacks in Jalisco.
The leader of one of Mexico's fastest-growing criminal networks, Oseguera Cervantes, sometimes known as "El Mencho," was infamous for smuggling cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States and for launching brash attacks on government officials who opposed it.
The Mexican military tried to apprehend him, but he was murdered in a shootout in his native state of Jalisco. Across the nation, cartel members reacted violently, burning cars and blocking roads.
A prison guard, a state prosecutor's office agent, and an unnamed woman were also slain by García Harfuch. Additionally, he reported that four criminal suspects were killed in Michoacan and about thirty were killed in Jalisco.
Following the outbreak of widespread violence, local and international administrations in several Mexican states suspended classes on Monday and advised their populations to stay indoors.
A prison guard, a state prosecutor's office agent, and an unnamed woman were also slain by García Harfuch. Additionally, he reported that four criminal suspects were killed in Michoacan and about thirty were killed in Jalisco.
Following the outbreak of widespread violence, local and international administrations in several Mexican states suspended classes on Monday and advised their populations to stay indoors.
On Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm, and officials reported that all 250 of the cartel barricades in 20 states had been removed. On Monday morning, the president was scheduled to discuss the matter during her daily news briefing.
The White House praised Mexico's army for capturing a man who was among the most wanted criminals in both nations and revealed that the U.S. provided intelligence support to the operation to apprehend the cartel head.
Mexico anticipated that the passing of the largest fentanyl traffickers in the world would lessen pressure from the Trump administration to take greater action against the cartels, but many people remained tense and hunkered down, waiting to see how the influential gang would respond.
The White House praised Mexico's army for capturing a man who was among the most wanted criminals in both nations and revealed that the U.S. provided intelligence support to the operation to apprehend the cartel head.
Mexico anticipated that the passing of the largest fentanyl traffickers in the world would lessen pressure from the Trump administration to take greater action against the cartels, but many people remained tense and hunkered down, waiting to see how the influential gang would respond.
Many worry about increased violence.
In addition to warning American people in numerous parts of Mexico to do the same, the U.S. Embassy announced via X that its staff in eight cities and the state of Michoacan will remain indoors and work remotely on Monday.
In contrast to Sunday, when the state capital of Jalisco and Mexico's second-largest city was almost shut down as terrified citizens stayed at home, cars started moving through Guadalajara before sunrise on Monday as the workweek began.
In addition to warning American people in numerous parts of Mexico to do the same, the U.S. Embassy announced via X that its staff in eight cities and the state of Michoacan will remain indoors and work remotely on Monday.
In contrast to Sunday, when the state capital of Jalisco and Mexico's second-largest city was almost shut down as terrified citizens stayed at home, cars started moving through Guadalajara before sunrise on Monday as the workweek began.
Over 1,000 people spent the night sleeping in busses at the zoo in Guadalajara. Monday AM. While police trucks patrolled the area, women bundled in blankets brought their toddlers out of the busses for a much-needed toilet break.
Many had been stranded there since 9 a.m. the previous day, when violence erupted in Jalisco and the neighboring states, according to Luis Soto Rendón, the director of the zoo. Families in neighboring states like Michoacan and Zacatecas were left stranded and had to divert their kids after deciding they couldn't go back home.For their protection, we chose to allow individuals to remain inside the zoo," Soto stated. "There are small children and senior citizens."
Many had been stranded there since 9 a.m. the previous day, when violence erupted in Jalisco and the neighboring states, according to Luis Soto Rendón, the director of the zoo. Families in neighboring states like Michoacan and Zacatecas were left stranded and had to divert their kids after deciding they couldn't go back home.For their protection, we chose to allow individuals to remain inside the zoo," Soto stated. "There are small children and senior citizens."
Guadalajara hotel security officer Irma Hernández, 43, showed up for work early on Monday.
Buses were not operating, so she had no way to get across the city, which is how she usually gets to work. To pick her up, her superiors arranged for a private vehicle. Her family, she said, was staying at home, too scared to leave.
"I am worried because I don't know how to get home if something happens," she said.
Buses were not operating, so she had no way to get across the city, which is how she usually gets to work. To pick her up, her superiors arranged for a private vehicle. Her family, she said, was staying at home, too scared to leave.
"I am worried because I don't know how to get home if something happens," she said.
Due to the violent outburst, travelers arriving at the city's international airport on Sunday night were informed that it was running with a reduced staff.
At least 14 more persons, including seven National Guard soldiers, were confirmed dead Sunday by authorities in Jalisco, Michoacan, and Guanajuato.
Videos of visitors strolling down the beach in Puerto Vallarta with smoke rising in the background went viral on social media on Sunday.
At least 14 more persons, including seven National Guard soldiers, were confirmed dead Sunday by authorities in Jalisco, Michoacan, and Guanajuato.
Videos of visitors strolling down the beach in Puerto Vallarta with smoke rising in the background went viral on social media on Sunday.
A diplomatic coup could constitute a blow against a cartel.
The arrest and violent outburst, according to International Crisis Group Mexico researcher David Mora, represent a turning moment in Sheinbaum's efforts to combat cartels and ease American pressure.
With the prospect of further tariffs or unilateral military action if Mexico fails to comply, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the country to do more to combat the importation of the frequently fatal opioid fentanyl.
Early indications suggested that the United States was supportive of Mexico's initiatives.
The arrest and violent outburst, according to International Crisis Group Mexico researcher David Mora, represent a turning moment in Sheinbaum's efforts to combat cartels and ease American pressure.
With the prospect of further tariffs or unilateral military action if Mexico fails to comply, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the country to do more to combat the importation of the frequently fatal opioid fentanyl.
Early indications suggested that the United States was supportive of Mexico's initiatives.
In a statement late Sunday, U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson acknowledged the efforts and accomplishments of the Mexican military. He stated that "under the leadership of President Trump and President Sheinbaum, bilateral cooperation has reached unprecedented levels."
However, it might potentially lead to additional violence as rival criminal organizations exploit the CJNG's defeat, according to Mora."Those other groups may see that the cartel is weakening at this time and want to take advantage of the opportunity to expand their influence and take control of Cartel Jalisco in those states," he said.
However, it might potentially lead to additional violence as rival criminal organizations exploit the CJNG's defeat, according to Mora."Those other groups may see that the cartel is weakening at this time and want to take advantage of the opportunity to expand their influence and take control of Cartel Jalisco in those states," he said.
"Ever since President Sheinbaum has been in power, the army has been way more confrontational, combative against criminal groups in Mexico," stated Mora. This is a message to the United States that Mexico can succeed if we continue to share intelligence and work together. We don't require American forces in Mexico.
"El Mencho was one of the main targets.
Oseguera Cervantes passed away during his flight to Mexico City after being injured during the operation to apprehend him Sunday near Tapalpa, Jalisco, which is roughly two hours' drive southwest of Guadalajara, according to a statement from the Defense Department.
Troops were shot at during the operation, and four individuals were killed there. According to the statement, Oseguera Cervantes was among three other individuals who were injured and subsequently passed away.
Oseguera Cervantes passed away during his flight to Mexico City after being injured during the operation to apprehend him Sunday near Tapalpa, Jalisco, which is roughly two hours' drive southwest of Guadalajara, according to a statement from the Defense Department.
Troops were shot at during the operation, and four individuals were killed there. According to the statement, Oseguera Cervantes was among three other individuals who were injured and subsequently passed away.
Through X, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the operation was supported by intelligence from the U.S. government. "'El Mencho' was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland," she stated. She praised the efforts of Mexico's armed forces.
For information that resulted in El Mencho's capture, the U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million. Established in 2009, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of Mexico's most potent and rapidly expanding criminal groups.
The Trump administration classified the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025.
For information that resulted in El Mencho's capture, the U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million. Established in 2009, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of Mexico's most potent and rapidly expanding criminal groups.
The Trump administration classified the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025.
Sheinbaum has criticized past administrations' "kingpin" tactics, which removed cartel leaders only to cause bloodshed to erupt when the organizations broke up. Although she has maintained her popularity in Mexico, security is a recurring issue, and she has been under intense pressure to demonstrate results against drug trafficking ever since U.S. President Donald Trump took office a year ago.
One of the most violent cartels, the Jalisco cartel has attacked military targets, including helicopters, and is a pioneer in the use of mines and drones to drop explosives. In 2020, it executed a spectacular murder attempt against the then-head of the capital's police force and current federal security secretary in the center of Mexico City using grenades and powerful firearms.
One of the most violent cartels, the Jalisco cartel has attacked military targets, including helicopters, and is a pioneer in the use of mines and drones to drop explosives. In 2020, it executed a spectacular murder attempt against the then-head of the capital's police force and current federal security secretary in the center of Mexico City using grenades and powerful firearms.
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