Riots Erupt in Mexico Following Death of Cartel Boss, 25 Soldiers and 30 Gang Members Killed
Dozens of Mexican soldiers and gang members have been killed in clashes following the death of drug lord Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera. The incident was also marked by the burning of vehicles and businesses in several states in Mexico.
As reported by AFP, quoted by detikNews, Tuesday (24/2/2026), Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was injured after a shootout with soldiers in the city of Tapalpa in the state of Jalisco on Sunday (22/2). El Mencho died while being flown to Mexico City.
The news of his death triggered a wave of violence. Cartel members across Mexico blocked roads in 20 states and burned vehicles and businesses.
Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch reported that at least 25 members of the National Guard were killed in the clashes. In addition, one prison guard, one member of the state prosecutor’s office, and 30 suspected members of Oseguera’s criminal organization were also killed.
It was mentioned that before his death, El Mencho Oseguera was a wanted man with a reward of USD 15 million. Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla said that eight suspected cartel members were killed in a special forces operation to capture Oseguera and three soldiers were injured.
As the cartels rioted, frightened residents hid, and tourists took refuge in their hotels and resorts. Mexico is currently on high alert, although the violence has subsided.
The government has sent 2,500 troops to Jalisco - a state scheduled to host four matches of the World Cup this summer.
The streets in the capital of the state of Jalisco, Guadalajara, were almost empty on Monday.
Schools, shops, pharmacies, and gas stations were closed. All events involving large numbers of people were canceled, and public transportation was stopped.
Maria Medina, who works at a gas station that was burned on Sunday, said that armed men appeared and told everyone to get out.
“I thought they were going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to take refuge with the people there,” Medina told AFP.
The violence hit the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta and spread to the neighboring state of Michoacan, where Oseguera’s cartel has been waging war against a coalition of rival criminal groups.
(ams/apl)