Mexico on Alert After ‘El Mencho’ Killing; Trump Responds

Leadership Disruptions May Lead to Short-term Spikes in Violence and Territorial Disputes Across Mexico

Mexico is on alert following the reported death of ‘El Mencho’. Officials are closely monitoring regions historically affected by cartel activity. He was also one of the United States’ most wanted fugitives.  Vehicles are being set on fire, and roadsare being obstructed by cartel members, according to the latest reports.

How was Mexican drug lord ‘El Mencho’ killed?

The Mexican army on Sunday (February 22, 2026) killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, a powerful drug lord, during an operation that led to unrest across the country. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was 59 years old. 

He has links to organised crime dated back more than 30 years. In 1994, he faced trial in the US for heroin trafficking and served a three-year prison term. After he returned to Mexico, he climbed the ranks of the country’s drug trade networks. 

Mexico's defence department said that the army carried out an operation in the southern area of Jalisco state to capture “El Mencho,” using the Mexican Air Force and special forces. The cartel struck back, and during the clash, federal forces shot dead four members of the crime group and injured three others, including its leader, who later died while being flown to Mexico City, the statement said.

The cabinet says 25 people have been arrested, 11 for their alleged participation in violent acts and 14 more for alleged looting and pillaging.

Mexico Faces Fresh Violence

Within hours of Oseguera’s death, his supporters blocked highways in several states and set fire to cars and businesses. In some towns, tourists and locals were advised to remain indoors, while truck drivers were told to use safe routes or head back to their depots until the violence eased.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged people to stay calm and said the central government was working closely with state authorities.

Jalisco's Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro declared a code red in the state, pausing all public transport and cancelling mass events and in-person classes. Tourists who spoke to news agency Reuters described the resort town of Puerto Vallarta as a "war zone".

Some 250 roadblocks were in place across the country during the unrest, with 65 in Jalisco. In its latest update, the Mexican security cabinet said four blockades remained active in Jalisco.

Donald Trump’s Reactions

US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau, who served as America’s ambassador to Mexico during the first Trump administration, praised the operation on X, writing, “The good guys are stronger than the bad guys. Congratulations to the forces of law and order in the great Mexican nation.”

US President Donald Trump also shared a cryptic post hours after the Mexican military killed the most-wanted drug lord, El Mencho. In the post, the US president said, “We’re Winning too much, it’s just not fair! President DJT.” 

The Mexican government said the United States had shared intelligence that supported the operation against Oseguera. US officials told The New York Times that it was a Mexican mission and that no American troops took part in the operation.

Started operating around 2009, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of the most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organisations in Mexico. According to the US National Counterterrorism Centre, CJNG traffics drugs to Australia, Canada, Europe, Africa and South America.