Mexico faced a wave of violence and security disruptions this week after government forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, or CJNG.

The longtime drug lord was killed Sunday during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, according to Mexico’s defense ministry. Authorities said the Mexican Air Force and the Special Immediate Reaction Force of the Mexican National Guard led the raid. Seven CJNG members were killed at the scene or later died from injuries, including Oseguera Cervantes. Three members of Mexico’s military were injured. Officials said the United States provided “complementary information” for the operation.

The death of one of Mexico’s most notorious cartel leaders triggered swift retaliation.

Wave of Retaliatory Attacks

Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said the killing led to “27 cowardly attacks against authorities in Jalisco.” He added that 30 cartel operatives were killed in subsequent clashes and one bystander died. At least 70 people were arrested across seven states.

Gunmen blocked highways, set vehicles on fire and created chaos in several regions. Residents and tourists were urged to remain indoors as security forces worked to contain the unrest.

The violence prompted immediate travel disruptions. Several airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines and Aeromexico, canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta on Sunday as security alerts intensified.

US Expands Shelter-in-Place Advisory

In response to the unrest, the U.S. State Department issued a widened shelter-in-place advisory for Americans in Mexico.

Initially, Americans in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, and parts of Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León were advised to remain in place due to security operations, road blockages and criminal activity. The advisory was later expanded to include Baja California, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Zacatecas and other areas.

The warning affected major tourist destinations including Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Tijuana and Cozumel.

Mexican Government Says Calm Restored

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo addressed the unrest in a Monday news conference, saying blockades had largely been cleared.

“Today, there is tranquility,” she said, adding that peace had been secured following violence in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas.

Sheinbaum also said flights were expected to resume between Monday and Tuesday as normal activity returned.

Trump Urges Crackdown

President Donald Trump commented on the situation Monday in a social media post after watching an interview on Fox News about the raid.

“Mexico must step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!” Trump wrote.

The U.S. has long pressured Mexico to intensify efforts against drug trafficking organizations, particularly those linked to fentanyl and cross-border crime.

Who Was El Mencho?

Born Rubén Oseguera Cervantes on July 17, 1966, in Aguililla, Michoacán, he later adopted the name Nemesio. The nickname “El Mencho” is a shortened version of Nemesio and has no other known meaning.

As head of CJNG, he oversaw one of the most powerful and violent criminal organizations in Mexico. The cartel has been linked to drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and violent confrontations with rival groups and government forces.

Mexico’s defense secretary, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, said roughly 80 percent of the weapons secured during the operation came from the United States. Among the confiscated arms were Russian-made rocket launchers capable of taking down aircraft.

The killing of El Mencho marks a major development in Mexico’s fight against organized crime. But the rapid retaliation underscores the continued strength and reach of cartel networks.

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