Mexico in chaos: "El Mencho" killed in U.S.-backed raid

The death of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as "El Mencho," has plunged western Mexico into a state of emergency. Following a joint U.S.-Mexico military operation on Feb. 22, 2026, retaliatory attacks have left at least 25 National Guard members dead. The U.S. Embassy has issued an urgent shelter-in-place order for Americans in major resort areas, including Puerto Vallarta and Cancun.