Breaking: Mexican Cartel Leader 'El Mencho' Killed in Military Operation; CJNG Retaliates | WATCH

Mexican authorities confirmed the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday.

The operation, reportedly conducted by the Mexican army, has sparked intense retaliation from CJNG members, leading to chaos across the state, including at Guadalajara International Airport and in Puerto Vallarta.

El Mencho, one of Mexico's most wanted fugitives and the subject of a $15 million U.S. State Department reward for information leading to his arrest, was killed in the raid.

Federal sources indicated the operation targeted the cartel leader, who had evaded capture for years while heading an organization notorious for drug trafficking, attacks on security forces, and innovative tactics like drone explosives.

The U.S. had previously designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization in February.

In response to El Mencho's death, CJNG operatives unleashed a wave of violence, including narcobloqueos, road blockades using burning vehicles, shootouts on highways, and assaults in urban areas.

The cartel is currently carrying out a massive, violent "retaliation" across multiple states:

1. Siege of Major Cities

Puerto Vallarta: The city is currently under a shelter-in-place order. Residents report armed men on motorcycles patrolling the streets and the sound of gunfire. Air Canada and other airlines have suspended flights to the city.

Guadalajara: Significant chaos has been reported at the airport. Reports described armed gunmen storming the facility, causing gunfire, evacuations, and panic among passengers.

Social media videos showed scenes of alarm inside terminals and blockades affecting access routes.

Red Alerts: The state government activated a "Código Rojo" (Red Code), deploying the military, National Guard, and all levels of law enforcement to contain the unrest.

2. Active Military Confrontations

The Mexican Army and National Guard are currently engaged in active firefights with CJNG cells in rural and urban areas of Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. The cartel is using "narcodrones" (drones modified to drop explosives) and sniper teams to push back against federal forces.

The violence has spilled into neighboring states like Michoacán and Guanajuato, exacerbating the volatile situation.

3. "Narco-Blockades" and Arson

The CJNG has initiated a "scorched earth" response to block the military and sow chaos.

Burning Vehicles: Members are hijacking buses, semi-trucks, and private cars, setting them on fire, and using them to block major highways.

Targeted Arson: There are widespread reports of convenience stores (like Oxxo) and pharmacies being set on fire in Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacán.

Unconfirmed accounts suggest American tourists have been taken hostage at hotels and along highways amid the cartel retaliation.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro acknowledged clashes, fires, and disruptions at airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

The Canadian government updated its travel advisory for Jalisco, warning of roadblocks, shootouts, and explosions.

U.S. citizens in the area are urged to follow State Department guidance and avoid travel to affected zones.

The U.S. Embassy is treating the situation as a direct threat to U.S. citizens. They have flagged these specific areas as active "Red Zones" where the risk of being detained or kidnapped by cartel cells is currently at its highest:

This event marks a significant blow to CJNG, but experts warn it could lead to further power struggles and violence within Mexico's criminal landscape.

Authorities continue to monitor developments as operations to restore order are ongoing.

UPDATE:

Open Source Intel reports: