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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nMexico\u2019s most wanted drug lord, Nemesio Rub\u00e9n Oseguera Cervantes, better known as \u201cEl Mencho\u201d, was killed in a military operation that unleashed coordinated violence across several states, paralysed transport networks and prompted security advisories from the United States and Canada. The Mexican army said the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was wounded during a clash with soldiers in Tapalpa, Jalisco, and died while being flown to Mexico City.The operation marks one of the most consequential blows to organised crime in Mexico since the arrests of Joaqu\u00edn Guzm\u00e1n, known as \u201cEl Chapo\u201d, and Ismael Zambada Garc\u00eda, co-founders of the Sinaloa cartel. Within hours of the announcement, cartel gunmen set vehicles ablaze, blocked highways and clashed with security forces in what authorities described as retaliatory violence spreading across at least five states.<\/p>\n According to Mexico\u2019s Secretariat of National Defence, security forces from multiple federal branches carried out the operation in the town of Tapalpa in western Jalisco. The army said Oseguera was wounded in a firefight and later died during an air transfer to Mexico City.Officials stated that six suspected cartel gunmen were killed during the operation, while three soldiers were wounded and taken to hospital in the capital. Two suspects were arrested. Authorities also seized a cache of weapons, including rocket launchers capable of taking down aircraft and destroying armoured vehicles.An AP report cited a federal official who confirmed that the killing occurred during a military operation in Jalisco. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to comment publicly.The United States had offered a reward of up to 15 million dollars for information leading to Oseguera\u2019s arrest. In February, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organisation.<\/p>\n Following the unrest, the US State Department urged American citizens in several regions to take shelter. In a statement posted on social media, it said: \u201cMexico: Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the following locations should shelter in place until further notice: Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (including Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State.\u201dThe advisory recommended avoiding areas around law enforcement activity, minimising unnecessary movements, monitoring local media, following instructions from authorities and contacting emergency services by dialling 911 if required.Canada\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring the \u201cserious and rapidly evolving security situation\u201d in Jalisco, particularly in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Canadian citizens were advised to adhere to shelter-in-place orders in affected areas.<\/p>\n Soon after news of the raid emerged, gunmen blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco using burning cars and trucks. The unrest spread beyond Tapalpa to Guadalajara and the tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta, and later to neighbouring states including Michoacan and Guanajuato.In Guanajuato, authorities reported fires at pharmacies and convenience stores. \u201cNo injuries have been reported, but there has been property damage,\u201d the state\u2019s Security and Peace Secretariat said, adding that a joint operation involving the army, National Guard and municipal police had been deployed.Residents described scenes of panic. Maria Medina, who works at a gas station that was set on fire, said armed men ordered people to leave. \u201cI thought they were going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to take cover with the people there,\u201d she told AFP.Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to remain indoors and said public transport services would be suspended \u201cuntil the situation is under control.\u201d He warned that the violence had spread to at least five states and advised people to avoid travelling on highways.In Guadalajara, streets were largely deserted as shops, pharmacies and petrol stations shut their doors.<\/p>\n The security situation forced authorities to cancel public events and sporting fixtures. Jalisco, which is scheduled to host four matches of the 2026 World Cup this summer, suspended all large gatherings on Sunday and cancelled in-person classes on Monday.Multiple football matches were also postponed, including fixtures from the Clausura tournament of Mexico\u2019s Liga MX, women\u2019s league games and an international friendly between Mexico and Iceland.Airlines were affected as well. US and Canadian carriers cancelled dozens of flights to Mexico amid concerns over the violence. Air Canada suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, a popular resort destination on the Pacific coast.<\/p>\n US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed the killing and described Oseguera as \u201cone of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.\u201d\u201cThis is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,\u201d he added.The raid comes amid renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump on Mexico to curb the flow of drugs, especially fentanyl, into the United States. Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs on Mexican exports, arguing that Mexico has not done enough to combat trafficking.The US Justice Department charged Oseguera in 2022 with leading efforts to manufacture and distribute fentanyl for importation into the United States. An indictment alleged that his organisation operated in several Mexican states, including Jalisco, Colima and Veracruz, with a broader national presence.<\/p>\n Formed in 2009, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel grew rapidly into one of Mexico\u2019s most violent and powerful criminal organisations. According to US authorities, it was responsible for trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States.Oseguera, a former police officer, led the group as it expanded its territorial control and influence, frequently engaging in brazen confrontations with security forces. The US Drug Enforcement Administration described CJNG as among the \u201cmost powerful and ruthless criminal organisations\u201d operating in Mexico.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm following Sunday\u2019s events and said the federal government was coordinating with state authorities to restore order.While the killing of El Mencho represents a milestone in Mexico\u2019s fight against organised crime, the swift and violent backlash underlines the enduring capacity of cartels to disrupt public life and challenge the state. Security forces remain deployed across affected regions as authorities attempt to stabilise the situation.<\/div>\n\nWhat happened in Tapalpa
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nUS and Canada issue travel advisories
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nWave of retaliatory violence
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nSporting events and public life disrupted
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nInternational reaction and political pressure
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nThe rise of CJNG
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