REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Jose Luis Gonzalez

Members of the Mexican army stand guard at a roundabout on a main avenue, following a military operation in which Mexican officials said cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, “El Mencho,” was killed in Jalisco state, in Guadalajara, Mexico, February 23, 2026. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

On Sunday, the Mexican government launched an operation to capture the leader of the infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, otherwise known as “El Mencho.” Cervantes reportedly died soon after sustaining wounds during a shootout in a military raid, Feb. 22.

The government in Mexico partnered with the U.S. through the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel. While the U.S. provided intelligence for the operation, it was primarily a Mexican government mission.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel primarily traffics fentanyl, causing the cartel to become one of the most prominent in Mexico. The cartel smuggles large loads of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in a press release on Feb. 2 that a record amount of fentanyl seized since the state’s counterdrug operations were initiated in San Diego, which is a mere 17 miles from the Mexican border.

“Fentanyl is killing Californians every day — and we are meeting this crisis with action, not rhetoric,” Newsom said in a statement. “In 2021, we launched a focused effort to stop traffickers at the border and along our transportation corridors. The results are clear: lives saved, communities protected, and criminal networks disrupted.”

Gallery • 6 Photos

REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Gabriel Trujillo

A bus used as a roadblock by organized crime burns following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Gabriel Trujillo

Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho,” founded Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, in 2009. Before that he was arrested and jailed for three years after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in California. After being released on parole, Oseguera Cervantes returned to Mexico and worked as a police officer. He reportedly worked for several cartels including the Milenio Cartel, before starting CJNG. 

CJNG uses intimidation tactics to influence the public such as media and violence. The group has ordered several assassinations, killing numerous Mexican police and military officials in the years since their founding.

Oseguera Cervantes was wounded during a raid in Tampala and died while being flown en route to Mexico City. During the attack, 25 members of the Mexican National Guard were killed, as well as two dozen cartel members.

In Jalisco, violence has taken over the streets in the form of roadblocks and burning vehicles. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro has issued a code red warning citizens to shelter in place due to security concerns.

The tensions are rising in Puerto Vallarta, where rideshares have been halted, and people have been advised to stay inside. CJNG invokes violence throughout Mexico at the news of their leader’s execution.

The U.S. The Embassy in Mexico put out a statement to all U.S. citizens in Mexico currently. 

“Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the named locations (Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, Guadalajara, Tamaulipas State, Michoacan State, Guerrero State and Nuevo Leon State) should shelter in place until further notice,” The U.S. Embassy said.

Flights in Puerto Vallarta, where many Californians vacation, have been halted due to safety concerns in the city, leaving countless Americans stranded in Mexico.

Governments in both Mexico and the U.S. have warned citizens to stay inside and only go out if absolutely necessary.

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