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MEXICAN authorities confirmed on Monday that a tip regarding the romantic relationships of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, led to the raid on his hideout in Tapalpa, Jalisco, where he was killed in a military operation.
The ambush triggered widespread violence across multiple states, raising fears for public safety and economic stability.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that at least 62 people died in the early Sunday operation and subsequent unrest, including 25 members of the National Guard and 34 suspected cartel members, as loyalists to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) set fire to vehicles and imposed 85 roadblocks in more than a dozen states.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Monday that the situation was returning to normal and that roadblocks were being cleared.
Nevertheless, 2,000 additional troops were deployed in Jalisco, Oseguera’s stronghold, while both locals and tourists in coastal towns remained anxious over the rapid spread of violence.
Oseguera’s death is a major blow to the CJNG, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal enterprises and a rival to the Sinaloa Cartel.
The operation also marks a victory for Mexico’s government following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to crack down on cartels.
“Mexico must step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!” Trump said in a social media post on Monday. Experts warned, however, that the elimination of Oseguera could spark further violence as the cartel reorganises.
The U.S. provided intelligence to help Mexican forces locate Oseguera’s compound, but President Sheinbaum stressed that the operation was conducted entirely by Mexican personnel.
“There was no participation in this operation of U.S. forces. What there was, was an exchange of information,” she said.
According to Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla, information from a confidante of one of Oseguera’s romantic partners allowed authorities to plan the raid quickly.
During the operation, cartel gunmen opened fire on security forces, resulting in a firefight at a cabin complex where Oseguera and two bodyguards were wounded.
All three were airlifted to Mexico City but died en route. Rifles, grenade launchers, rocket launchers, and mortars were recovered at the scene.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed ongoing investigations across 14 states, with Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch reporting at least 70 arrests in seven states.
Trevilla said retaliatory violence in Jalisco was orchestrated by Oseguera’s top lieutenant and financial chief, “El Tuli,” who was also killed during an attempted arrest.
The operative had reportedly offered a reward for the deaths of military personnel.
The unrest caused immediate disruption to travel and tourism. Airlines cancelled flights on Sunday, and shares of Volaris and airport operators GAP and ASUR fell over 4% on Monday.
Aeromexico resumed flights gradually, while Air Canada planned to resume services to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara later in the week. Foreign tourists described fleeing streets blocked by burning vehicles.
The economic fallout could extend beyond tourism. Jalisco is a hub for electronics, semiconductors, agriculture, and tequila production.
Kimberley Sperrfechter, economist at Capital Economics, warned that prolonged unrest could threaten these industries. She added that the operation signals Mexico’s attempts to satisfy U.S. authorities ahead of the USMCA review.
The violence underlines the continuing challenge of cartel-related crime in Mexico, as authorities seek both to dismantle entrenched criminal networks and to address the influx of firearms from the United States, which supplies approximately 70% of illegally trafficked weapons used by cartels.
The killing of El Mencho represents a significant tactical victory, but analysts and citizens alike caution that Mexico faces further instability as criminal organisations react to the sudden loss of their leader. - February 24, 2026
