MEXICO CITY — Retaliatory violence exploded across Mexico on Monday following the killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as "El Mencho," as suspected cartel members torched vehicles, blocked highways and clashed with security forces in at least 20 states.

Mexico Kills Top Drug Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’
Mexico Kills Top Drug Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’

The unrest, which began almost immediately after the Mexican military confirmed Oseguera Cervantes' death Sunday, has plunged parts of the country into chaos, with schools closed, businesses shuttered and foreign governments urging citizens to shelter in place. The wave of attacks has left dozens dead, including at least 25 members of Mexico's National Guard in Jalisco alone, according to officials.

Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was fatally wounded during a high-risk military operation Sunday in Tapalpa, a small town in Jalisco state about two hours southwest of Guadalajara. The raid, carried out by special forces with support from the National Guard, Air Force and U.S. intelligence, aimed to capture the longtime fugitive. He died en route to Mexico City by air for medical treatment, along with two other injured cartel members, the Secretariat of National Defense said.

Four CJNG gunmen were killed at the scene, and authorities seized weapons, armored vehicles and other equipment. Three soldiers were wounded. Officials revealed that intelligence pinpointing Oseguera Cervantes' location came from information provided by a romantic partner's associate, who was detained Friday in Tapalpa.

El Mencho, founder and leader of the CJNG since around 2009, oversaw one of Mexico's most violent and expansive criminal organizations. The cartel dominates fentanyl production and trafficking to the United States, methamphetamine manufacturing, cocaine distribution, extortion and fuel theft. Known for extreme brutality — including public mutilations and attacks on officials — the CJNG has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, which offered up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.

The operation marked a major victory for Mexican authorities amid pressure from the incoming Trump administration to curb drug flows. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called it a "great development," describing El Mencho as "one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins."

Retaliation was swift and coordinated. Cartel gunmen set up burning roadblocks, torched buses, banks, pharmacies and other businesses, and engaged in shootouts. Violence spread beyond Jalisco to states including Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima and others, with reports of at least 26 deaths, including civilians such as a pregnant woman caught in crossfire.

In Puerto Vallarta, a key tourist destination in Jalisco, plumes of smoke rose over neighborhoods as vehicles burned and chaos unfolded near the airport. Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport suspended operations due to blocked access roads and security threats. Major airlines including Air Canada, United, Delta, Southwest and Alaska canceled or diverted flights, stranding hundreds of tourists. Air Canada advised passengers not to head to the airport, while U.S. carriers issued travel waivers.

The U.S. Embassy and State Department urged American citizens in Jalisco and other affected states to shelter in place, avoid travel and monitor local media. Canada and the UK issued similar warnings, with the British Foreign Office advising against non-essential travel to parts of Jalisco. Taxi and rideshare services halted in Puerto Vallarta, exacerbating difficulties for stranded visitors.

President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted that "peace, security and normalcy" were being restored, with federal forces deployed to key areas. However, analysts warned of potential escalation as CJNG factions vie for control or rivals exploit the power vacuum. Oseguera Cervantes' son, Rubén Oseguera González ("El Menchito"), remains in U.S. custody after extradition in 2020, leaving succession uncertain.

The violence highlights ongoing challenges in Mexico's drug war, now spanning nearly two decades with hundreds of thousands killed. While the takedown disrupts a major fentanyl pipeline, experts caution that cartels often splinter or reorganize after leadership losses, potentially leading to more bloodshed in the short term.

As unrest continued into Monday evening, authorities urged residents to stay indoors and report suspicious activity. Restoration of order in hard-hit regions could take days, with economic impacts looming for tourism-dependent areas like Puerto Vallarta.