Cartel retaliates after assassination of notorious Mexican drug lord

In the wake of the Mexican army’s assassination of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the notorious leader of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel, there were reports of widespread violence in the country, while U.S. citizens in portions of the country were urged to shelter in place amid flight cancellations.

The surprise operation against the drug kingpin and head of Jalisco New Generation Cartel unfolded Sunday morning in Tapalpa, a city about two hours southwest of Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital.

During the operation, troops came under fire and killed four people at the location. Three more people, including Oseguera Cervantes, were wounded and later died, according to a statement from the U.S. Defense Department. Two others were arrested and armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other arms were seized.

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Three members of the armed forces were wounded and received medical treatment, while one member of the country’s National Guard was killed. Another six other National Guardsmen reportedly died in an operation near Guadalajara, along with an agent from Jalisco’s state prosecutor’s office.

A prison guard was also killed when inmates in a Puerto Vallarta prison rioted after reports of the deadly operation.

El Mencho’s assassination set off several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles, tactics commonly used by the cartels to block military operations. Videos circulating on social media showed smoke billowing over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, and people sprinting through the airport of the state’s capital in panic.

Officials with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico said on X that the operation was executed by Mexican special forces “within the framework of bilateral cooperation, with U.S. authorities providing complementary intelligence.”

The U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon states to remain in safe places due to the ongoing security operations. Canada’s embassy in Mexico warned its citizens in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place and generally to keep a low profile in Jalisco.

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Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus told residents to stay at home and suspended public transportation.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called El Mencho one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins in cartel history in a statement.

“This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” he added. “I’m watching the scenes of violence from Mexico with great sadness and concern. It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve.”

The Jalisco cartel has been one of the most aggressive cartels in its attacks on the military — including on helicopters — and is a pioneer in launching explosives from drones and installing mines. In 2020, it carried out a spectacular assassination attempt with grenades and high-powered rifles in the heart of Mexico City against the then head of the capital’s police force and now federal security secretary.

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The DEA considers the cartel to be as powerful as the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico’s most infamous criminal groups, with a presence in all 50 U.S. states. It is one of the main suppliers of cocaine to the U.S. market and, like the Sinaloa cartel, earns billions from the production of fentanyl and methamphetamines. Sinaloa, however, has been weakened by infighting after the loss of its leaders Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, both in U.S. custody.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, like many of her predecessors, have argued that taking out cartel leaders only triggers continued violence as cartels fracture and fight for power.

Sheinbaum said in a statement on X that the army had coordinated with the governments of all Mexican states and urged people to “remain informed and calm,” while recognizing the Mexican military’s operation.

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“We work every day for peace, security and justice, and the well-being of Mexico,” she said.

Locally, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn acknowledged those in the county with family in Mexico.

“I know many here in LA County with loved ones in Mexico—especially in Jalisco and Michoacán—are closely following the events in Mexico today with concern and with sadness,” she said on X. “I am keeping them in my thoughts and praying for peace.”

Supervisor Katrina Foley, Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors said she has friends sheltering in place in Puerto Vallarta and shared Rep. Dave Min’s post about what stranded U.S. travelers should do.

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Several airlines, including Delta, United, Alaska and Air Canada urged either temporarily cancelled flights into Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara or urged passengers to check on their flights before traveling to the airport.

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