A fierce wave of cartel-related violence has erupted across western Mexico following a historic military operation. On Sunday, February 22, 2026, militants from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) ambushed a Mexican National Guard convoy, triggering an intense firefight as security forces scrambled to contain the cartel’s immediate and explosive retaliation.
The Fall of “El Mencho”
The ambush is part of a massive, coordinated violent response to the death of the cartel’s top leader. Earlier on Sunday, the Mexican Defense Ministry confirmed that Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, universally known as “El Mencho,” was killed during a military raid in the state of Jalisco.
During the operation to capture the elusive kingpin—who oversaw one of the world’s most powerful and violent drug syndicates—security forces came under heavy fire. The military returned fire, killing El Mencho and at least three other cartel members, while successfully seizing heavy weaponry, including rocket launchers capable of destroying armored vehicles.
“Narco-Blockades” and Open Warfare
Following the decapitation of the cartel’s leadership, CJNG loyalists immediately initiated their standard protocol for military disruption:
* The Ambush: Heavily armed cartel militants intercepted and opened fire on the National Guard convoy, utilizing high-powered rifles and tactical blocking maneuvers.
* Burning Vehicles: Across Guadalajara and throughout Jalisco, cartel members hijacked and set fire to buses and cars, creating fiery “narco-blockades” to stall military reinforcements.
* Widespread Panic: The violence forced businesses to shutter and residents to shelter in place. Sirens and helicopters echoed through the center of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city.
International Travel Disrupted
The sheer scale of the unrest has severely impacted international travel and tourism. Plumes of smoke from burning vehicles were visible over the popular resort city of Puerto Vallarta, prompting panic at the airport. Air Canada immediately announced the suspension of all flights to the city due to the “ongoing security situation,” and the U.S. State Department has issued urgent warnings for citizens in Jalisco and surrounding states to shelter in place.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro has suspended public transportation and canceled school across the state for Monday, urging all residents to stay off the roads as federal forces continue their sweeping operations against the remnants of the CJNG command structure.
