On Feb. 22, 2026 Mexico’s most wanted criminal, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho” was shot and killed by the Mexican military forces. El Mencho was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC), one of the most powerful organizations in Mexico. The JNGC trafficked cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl to the United States and smuggled migrants northwards, making El Mencho additionally wanted in the U.S.. Both the U.S. and Mexico had a $15 million reward for his arrest.
Mexican security forces tracked El Mencho into the mountain town of Tapalpa in central-western Mexico. On Feb. 20, security began to surround and isolate the hiding spot of El Mencho. On Feb. 22, JNGC gunmen opened fire on the Mexican forces in Tapalpa; the Mexican troops shot back, killing many cartel members. During the shootout, El Mencho fled into a nearby cabin complex, where he was found and another fire attack began. During this second attack, 73 people died, including El Mencho himself, who was found wounded behind his two body guards. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital but died on the way.
Following his death, gunmen spread chaos across Mexico. These attackers, suspected to be JNGC members, initiated “narcobloqueos” — coordinated roadblocks staged by drug cartels using hijacked burning vehicles to block major roads — in 20 Mexican states. They torched buses and businesses and fought against Mexican security forces.
“It looked like it was straight from a movie and complete war,” CNN said.
In Mexico’s second largest city and the state of Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, citizens locked themselves in their homes as security forces were placed on alert. After, 20 out of 32 Mexican states shut down their schools after the attacks. Even surrounding countries such as Guatemala reinforced their Mexican borders after El Mencho’s death.
The cartel’s attacks on Mexican cities caused tourists in western Mexico to shelter in place as well, extending their stays in the city. Hundreds of tourists were stranded on Feb. 22 and 23 as all flights in Jalisco state, specifically Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, were cancelled. Tourists could not get to or from the airports due to all major highways leading to the airports being blocked causing many to be stuck in airports or at hotels.
This JNGC attack only lasted one day; by Feb. 23, all roadblocks had been cleared and all airports are now running flights. The Mexican Drug War has been going on since 2006 and intense firefights and blockades have occurred many times, usually only lasting for short periods of time similar to the February 2026 attack.
