El Mencho Killed: Puerto Vallarta Under Siege as CJNG Cartel Unleashes Violence

By: Shawn
‎A wave of violence swept across western Mexico on Sunday after the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed during a military operation, triggering chaos in one of the country’s most popular resort destinations.
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‎Authorities confirmed that Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the powerful CJNG criminal organization, died during a raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco. In the aftermath, cartel members launched coordinated attacks, setting vehicles ablaze and blocking highways to obstruct federal forces.
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— ‎Puerto Vallarta erupts in violence after El Mencho is killed in a military raid. Tourists shelter indoors as cartels torch vehicles and airports heighten security.
‎AFP via Getty Images 

‎In Puerto Vallarta, the nation’s fourth-largest tourism hub, visitors were urged to remain inside. The US State Department advised Americans in the region to shelter in place, and some reported being unable to leave.
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‎“It looked like the whole city was on fire,” said Colorado resident Scott Posilkin, who remains stranded in the city. He described seeing passengers flee from a bus stopped in the roadway before a gunman emerged and motioned for them to retreat. “We’re sheltering in place,” the 36-year-old marketing technology worker said. “We’re just waiting to hear what the State Department tells us to do.”
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AFP via Getty Images 

‎Hotels in the coastal city’s hotel zone shut their doors as burning barricades and vehicles filled the streets with smoke. One tourist wrote online that businesses had closed and guests were staying put until conditions improved.
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‎Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro said federal authorities had carried out an operation in Tapalpa that resulted in clashes. He reported that individuals ignited and blocked vehicles across various areas of Jalisco to disrupt law enforcement activity, placing much of the state under a “code red.” Residents were advised to avoid leaving their homes, as confrontations were reported in several federal entities.
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AFP via Getty Images 

‎According to local reports, including those from El Universal, cartel members deliberately started fires throughout Jalisco to slow the advance of federal troops.
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‎As unrest intensified, videos circulated online appearing to show passengers seeking cover at Guadalajara International Airport amid reports of gunfire. Later, the Pacific Airport Group confirmed that the Mexican National Guard had been deployed but stated the airport continued normal operations. Officials emphasized that no incidents occurred within the facilities and that passengers and staff were not in danger, attributing online footage to widespread panic rather than confirmed threats.
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‎The disruption extended beyond Jalisco. Merchants shuttered businesses in Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato and other states as black smoke rose from burning obstacles. Schools in Jalisco were ordered closed for Monday, and large public events were postponed until further notice. Reinforcements from federal forces were dispatched to restore order.
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AFP via Getty Images 

‎Air Canada canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta because of what it described as an ongoing security situation and advised travelers to remain home.
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‎Oseguera Cervantes, 53, had risen to prominence after US authorities arrested and convicted Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. A former police officer and school dropout, he became one of Mexico’s most feared cartel leaders. Former US President Donald Trump designated the cartel an international terrorist organization and pressed Mexico for tougher action, while US officials offered a $15 million reward for his capture.
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‎He faced multiple indictments in Washington, DC, beginning in 2017, including charges in April 2022 alleging conspiracy and controlled substance distribution tied to illegal imports into the United States.
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‎Spanish-language outlet Milenio reported that he was killed during the Tapalpa raid. Mexican defense officials stated that troops came under attack and responded in self-defense, leaving four CJNG members dead at the scene and three others fatally wounded during air transport to Mexico City. Oseguera Cervantes was among those who died while being transferred.
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AFP via Getty Images 

‎Following confirmation of his death, armed cartel members carried out assaults across Jalisco, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Colima, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes and Veracruz, paralyzing a broad region of the country.

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