• Drug Traffic
• México

Mexico City, Feb 22 (EFE).-

The death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias ‘El Mencho,’ in a Mexican special forces operation to capture him on Sunday unleashed chaos and violence cross swathes of the country.

The cartel boss was seriously wounded in the operation to arrest him in Tapalpa, a small town in Jalisco south of Guadalajara, and died while being flown to Mexico City, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.

The epicenter of the violence unleashed following the killing was in Jalisco, where road blockades with burning vehicles were set up in various parts of the state, consequently spreading to neighboring states. In Michoacán and Colima, vehicles were reported blocking federal highways, while in Guanajuato, images circulated of businesses set ablaze.

Incidents were also reported in Nayarit, Aguascalientes, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Guerrero, Chiapas and Quintana Roo, according to EFE and official reports.

Amid the chaos, the Ministry of National Defense officially confirmed the death of the CJNG leader during the operation, and reported that the operation involved intelligence work and cooperation with the United States.

In response to the escalating violence, the Jalisco government activated “code red” and reinforced the deployment of the National Guard and the army. It also announced the temporary suspension of mass gatherings, public transportation, and school for Monday as a preventative measure against the violence.

Schools were also officially closed on Monday in the states of Nayarit, Michoacán, Colima, Veracruz, and some areas of Oaxaca.

In Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco), airlines canceled all international flights and most domestic flights, while the Guadalajara Airport reported that it was maintaining normal operations under heavy federal security.

The situation has also had international repercussions, with the US urging its citizens to remain in their homes in Jalisco and parts of Tamaulipas, Michoacán, and Guerrero due to the roadblocks; while Canada declared itself “deeply alarmed” by the clashes and asked people to avoid going out, especially in Puerto Vallarta.

During the afternoon, Mexican authorities said that operations were continuing to restore traffic flow on at least 21 affected roads in Jalisco.

Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called on citizens to remain “informed and calm.”

According to the Ministry of National Defense, troops came under fire during the Tapalpa operation and responded, leaving four alleged members of the CJNG dead at the scene and three more seriously wounded, and who all died during their transport to Mexico City, including the drug lord.

Two others were arrested, and armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other weapons were seized, while three members of the military were wounded.

El Mencho, 59, was one of the most wanted criminals by Mexican and US authorities, with a multimillion-dollar reward offered for information leading to his capture. EFE

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