The death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the elusive cartel leader known as “El Mencho,” triggered a wave of coordinated violence across western Mexico on February 22, as gunmen loyal to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel responded with arson, highway blockades, and armed clashes in multiple states.
Mexican army and federal officials confirmed that Oseguera was killed during a targeted military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, long regarded as a CJNG stronghold. Authorities said he was wounded in a confrontation with security forces and died while being airlifted for treatment. For years, Oseguera had evaded capture despite a U.S. State Department bounty of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest. A former police officer turned drug lord, he built CJNG into one of the most powerful and violent criminal enterprises in the hemisphere, trafficking fentanyl and cocaine into the United States while deploying drones, landmines, and heavily armed assault teams against rivals and security forces.
His death marks one of the most significant blows to Mexican organized crime in recent memory, drawing comparisons to the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The operation comes amid intensified pressure from Washington, including threats of direct intervention from the Trump administration and the recent U.S. designation of CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization.
HAPPENING NOW: The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is burning down a Costco in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after military forces killed their leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (AKA El Mencho).
pic.twitter.com/AoZKaGsWpW— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) February 22, 2026
The cartel’s response was swift. CJNG-linked gunmen launched coordinated narcobloqueos — road blockades created by hijacking and torching vehicles — across at least six states. Violence erupted in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, with reports of burning businesses, including a Costco warehouse in Puerto Vallarta, and widespread highway disruptions. At Guadalajara International Airport, scenes of confusion unfolded as flights were delayed and security forces moved to secure the perimeter. Mexican authorities issued a national “Code Red” alert in affected regions as clashes spread.
There’s literally no way out of Puerto Vallarta right now.
Just goes to show you how quickly society can break down. pic.twitter.com/lAhGeLYRKA
— Freedom Enthusiast 🇺🇸 (@ThoughtCrimes80) February 23, 2026
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico urged American citizens in Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara, to shelter in place. Similar warnings extended to Tamaulipas, parts of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León. Canada updated its travel advisory for Puerto Vallarta, advising travelers to remain indoors amid armed confrontations and road blockades. Airlines, including Air Canada, canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta indefinitely as security conditions deteriorated.
U.S. Embassy in Mexico tells U.S. citizens in multiple Mexican states to shelter in place until further notice amid ongoing security operations. pic.twitter.com/i20AVAjY6e
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) February 22, 2026
Amid the chaos, social media posts — including from conservative commentator Laura Loomer — claimed CJNG gunmen were taking American tourists hostage at hotels, on highways, and near Guadalajara Airport. Videos circulating online showed panic inside airport terminals and armed men in the streets. Some outlets amplified the claims as “unconfirmed accounts” of Americans being targeted.
As of Sunday evening, however, there has been no official confirmation from the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Embassy, or Mexican authorities that American citizens have been kidnapped in connection with the unrest. Major international news organizations covering the violence have reported no verified hostage situations tied to the incident. While travelers, including Americans, have been stranded by road closures and security operations, assertions of systematic hostage-taking appear rooted in unverified social media reports.
The elimination of Oseguera represents a tactical victory for Mexican authorities and for U.S. officials seeking to curb fentanyl trafficking. Yet history suggests cartel decapitation can produce fragmentation and intensified turf battles rather than immediate stability. CJNG’s ability to coordinate rapid, multi-state retaliation underscores that its operational structure remains intact even as its longtime leader is removed.
Security forces remain deployed across western Mexico, airports are operating under heightened alert, and foreign nationals are being advised to monitor official embassy guidance closely. The situation, authorities say, remains fluid.
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