Mexico was gripped by a wave of coordinated violence after the reported killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho”, the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). As dramatic images of burning buses and highway blockades circulated from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, the United States issued an urgent travel warning advising its citizens to shelter in place across several Mexican states.
Authorities in the state of Jalisco have declared a statewide “Code Red” after a high-profile law enforcement operation in the town of Tapalpa during the early hours of Sunday, in which Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was reported killed.
El Mencho was the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most formidable drug cartels.
The Mexican Embassy in Washington confirmed that United States authorities provided intelligence support during the military operation that culminated in El Mencho’s death.
“In addition to central military intelligence efforts, complementary information was provided by US authorities within the framework of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the United States,” the embassy said in a post on X.
The development marks a potentially pivotal moment in Mexico’s long-running confrontation with organized crime, yet the immediate aftermath has exposed the fragility of public security in key urban and tourist centres.
Federal raid in Tapalpa sparks cartel retaliation
According to state officials, the unrest followed a federal military deployment in Tapalpa, a mountain municipality in southern Jalisco known more for tourism than armed conflict. Although authorities have not disclosed operational specifics, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus acknowledged that federal action triggered violent reprisals by criminal groups.
“Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which has led to clashes in the area. Also as a result of said operation, in various points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals have burned and blocked vehicles with the aim of hindering the actions of the authorities,” he wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
“I have given the instruction to immediately establish the security coordination table with authorities from all three levels of government and to activate the red code in order to prevent acts against the population,” he added.
The state’s Security Cabinet later confirmed that coordination with national forces was ongoing to stabilize affected areas.
What happened in Jalisco?
In a post to social media site
“I have given the instruction to immediately set up the security committee with authorities from all three levels of government and to activate the red code in order to prevent acts against the population.”
Roadblocks have been reported across the state capital, Guadalajara. All flights are being diverted from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and Guadalajara (GDL) until further notice. Buses across the country have been cancelled.
Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara: Tourist hubs under siege
Violence spread rapidly beyond Tapalpa. In Puerto Vallarta, a prominent Pacific resort city popular with international visitors, public buses were set ablaze in the city centre. Witnesses reported motorcycle pursuits and a shootout in the district of Ixtapa. Residents were urged to remain indoors as federal forces moved through affected neighborhoods.
In the Guadalajara metropolitan region, arson attacks and road obstructions paralyzed major arteries including Avenida 16 de Septiembre, La Paz, Periférico and Calzada Independency. Vehicles were torched to impede traffic and obstruct security forces.
Southern municipalities — Tecolotlán, Ojo de Agua, Linda Vista, Ayutla, Talpa, the Melaque junction, El Tuito and routes toward Morelia — reported similar tactics, underscoring the geographic scale of the retaliation.
US issues urgent Mexico travel warning
Following the eruption of violence, the United States Department of State released a security alert advising Americans in multiple states to take immediate precautions.
“Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, US citizens in the named locations should shelter in place until further notice,” said the state department in its security alert.
Another update by the US government warned, “Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic & int’l flights canceled in both Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta”, adding, “Taxis/ride shares are suspended in Puerto Vallarta”
“Seek shelter”, the travel advisory said.
- Jalisco State — including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara
- Tamaulipas State — including Reynosa and surrounding municipalities
- Michoacán State — selected areas
- Guerrero State
- Nuevo León State
Officials urged travelers and residents to remain indoors and monitor local developments as authorities attempt to regain control.
Canada issues advisory for its citizens, urges them to ‘keep low profile’
Canada also issued an advisory for its citizens in Mexico, urging them to “keep a low profile and follow the advice of local authorities”.
It urged Canadians in Michoacan, Guerrero and Jalisco states to shelter in place, citing “shootouts with security forces and explosions.”
Multiple football games canceled after El Mencho’s death
Multiple Mexican football games were suspended on Sunday following an outbreak of unrest in the aftermath of drug lord El Mencho’s killing in a federal security operation in Jalisco.
The canceled games included the 7th round of the Clausura tournament of Mexico’s Liga MX professional football league, multiple women’s league matches and an
Arrests preceding the operation
Hours before the Tapalpa operation, federal authorities detained Alma Rosa “N”, known as “La Leona”, in Tala municipality. She is believed to have served as a recruiter for the CJNG and is allegedly linked to an associate identified as “El Lastra”, as well as to the Rancho Izaguirre case.
Security analysts suggest that this arrest, alongside the operation targeting El Mencho, may have intensified tensions within cartel networks, prompting swift and coordinated retaliation.
Key Takeaways
- The death of El Mencho has triggered significant violence and unrest in Jalisco, affecting safety in major tourist areas.
- US citizens are advised to take immediate precautions and shelter in place amid escalating tensions.
- The situation underscores the ongoing challenges of public security in Mexico’s battle against organized crime.
