Mexico is reeling after the government announced it killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a high-profile military operation on Sunday, February 22. The operation, carried out in Tapalpa, Jalisco—a town of about 20,000 in the cartel’s heartland—involved Army Special Forces, air force aircraft, and the National Guard. El Mencho was injured during the capture and died en route to Mexico City for medical treatment, according to officials. At least nine other cartel operatives were killed in the process.
Nationwide Unrest After El Mencho’s Death
The immediate aftermath has been nothing short of chaos. Armed groups retaliated within hours, launching attacks that saw supermarkets, banks, and vehicles set ablaze in several Mexican states. Roadblocks with burning vehicles paralyzed key routes, and the violence even stranded U.S. tourists in vacation hotspots. In one of the most widespread outbreaks of cartel unrest in recent memory, the Mexican football association was forced to postpone four games on Sunday to ensure the safety of players and fans.
President Claudia Sheinbaum called the eruption of violence “very concerning” and emphasized the government’s determination to contain the unrest. Critics, however, have pointed out that killing cartel leaders—known as the “kingpin” strategy—often triggers waves of violence as criminal organizations splinter and scramble for control. Sheinbaum herself has criticized this approach, warning that it may do more harm than good.
Uncertain Future for the Jalisco Cartel
El Mencho’s death has left a leadership vacuum at the heart of one of Mexico’s most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organizations. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had previously called the CJNG as powerful as the infamous Sinaloa cartel, noting its presence in all 50 U.S. states and its dominance in the North American cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine trade. With El Mencho’s close family—his brother, son (“El Menchito”), and daughter—all imprisoned, analysts warn that the cartel could fracture further, sparking regional power struggles and new waves of violence.
Sunday’s crackdown was hailed by some as a major victory for the Sheinbaum administration. However, experts caution that unless Mexico’s military and security forces act swiftly to stabilize the situation, the country could be in for a prolonged period of instability. For now, Mexico faces an uncertain future, caught between hopes for justice and fears of even deadlier cartel wars.
