Dozens of Mexican soldiers killed in cartel attacks after operation targeting kingpin - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Kate Linthicum, Patrick J. McDonnell

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Mexican soldiers faced a wave of retaliatory attacks from cartels after a government operation targeting Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel. The violence erupted in 20 states, with at least 25 soldiers killed and widespread chaos reported. Schools were closed, flights suspended, and roads blocked by burning vehicles as cartels sought to disrupt the operation. Despite the turmoil, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured citizens that calm had been restored, with normalcy expected to resume by Tuesday. The operation, conducted by Mexican special forces, aimed to capture El Mencho, who is considered one of the world’s most wanted drug lords. Intelligence efforts tracked the movements of his girlfriend to locate him near Tapalpa, Jalisco. During the raid, a fierce gun battle broke out, allowing El Mencho and two bodyguards to escape temporarily. They were later found seriously injured in nearby woods and transported to a hospital, where they died. The compound yielded an arsenal of weapons, including rocket launchers and grenades. The aftermath saw cartels retaliating across Mexico, blocking roads, torching gas stations, and attacking security forces. This tactic is common for cartels aiming to create fear and chaos. While the immediate violence

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/23/2026