Schools shut, troops on streets: Mexico on alert after ‘El Mencho’ killing
Al Jazeera
February 24, 2026
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Mexico has mobilized 10,000 soldiers nationwide to restore order following the killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, a prominent drug cartel leader, in a military operation near Guadalajara. The deployment comes as the country grapples with retaliatory attacks by El Mencho’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has caused widespread violence, including roadblocks, bank and petrol station attacks, and burned-out vehicles across multiple states. At least 74 people were killed in the chaos, including 25 National Guard officers.
El Mencho, considered one of Mexico’s most brutal drug lords, was a founding member of CJNG, which has become one of the country's most violent criminal organizations. His death, confirmed during a military operation in Jalisco, triggered an eerie calm in some areas as the CJNG attempted to disrupt security forces by dragging trucks across roads and blocking transportation routes. Despite the violence, President Claudia Sheinbaum declared that peace had been restored and life was returning to normal in many parts of Mexico.
The operation, which relied on intelligence support from the United States, involved only Mexican forces and targeted El Mencho, a man sought by both Mexican and U.S. authorities for his role in extensive drug trafficking and violence. Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch emphasized that while peace had been restored, the situation remained fragile as CJNG members fought to fill the power vacuum left by their leader's death. Experts warn that this internal struggle could lead to further bloodshed and instability in the coming weeks.
The killing of El Mencho marks a significant moment in Mexico’s ongoing battle against organized crime, but it remains unclear whether his removal will weaken CJNG or result in new leadership challenges. The deployment of 10,
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/24/2026