Nairobi, Fbruary 23- A wave of unrest has swept across Mexico following the death of the country’s most wanted drug trafficker during a military operation reportedly backed by intelligence from the United States.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). He sustained fatal injuries during a confrontation with security forces in Tapalpa, located in Jalisco. Authorities confirmed that four cartel members were killed in the clash, while three soldiers were wounded.
Following his death, cartel members retaliated by setting vehicles ablaze and blocking major roads, triggering chaos across more than a dozen states. Armed groups were reported in several towns, and dramatic scenes of smoke rising over cities circulated online.
Among the affected areas was Guadalajara, one of the host cities for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The Jalisco state government declared an emergency, suspending public transportation, cancelling classes, and calling off large public events as a precaution.
Officials said approximately 250 roadblocks were recorded nationwide during the violence. At least 25 people were arrested on suspicion of involvement in attacks and looting. Businesses and bank branches were vandalised, and several international carriers including Air Canada, United Airlines, and American Airlines temporarily cancelled flights to Jalisco due to safety concerns.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that authorities are coordinating efforts to restore order and reassured citizens that most parts of the country remain stable. Meanwhile, both the United States and the United Kingdom issued travel advisories, urging their nationals in affected regions to remain cautious or stay indoors.
El Mencho, 59, was a former police officer who rose to lead one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels, overseeing large-scale trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States. American authorities had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
