Mexico is on alert after cartel gunmen went on a violent rampage of revenge in response to federal forces killing their leader, a notorious mob boss known as “El Mencho”.
Authorities had attempted to capture Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday but the raid led to a firefight that fatally wounded the infamous leader and killed six of his accomplices, according to officials.
Retaliatory cartel attacks since the raid have killed 25 members of the National Guard and one security guard, according to Mexico’s security minister, Omar García Harfuch. He said 30 cartel operatives were killed as well as one bystander.
El Mencho, 59, was one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers. He led the heavily armed Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which had become the country’s most powerful criminal organisation. The defence minister, Ricardo Trevilla said information leading to the capture and death of Mexico’s most-wanted man stemmed from a romantic partner.
In the country’s west, schools were closed and international travellers left stranded, as cartel foot soldiers blocked roads by torching cars and buses. Several foreign governments issued travel warnings.
The president, Claudia Sheinbaum, urged calm and authorities said all of the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared.
It is unclear if the violence will continue. Previous operations to kill or capture organised crime bosses have led to eruptions of bloodshed and chaos, as cartels retaliate against the government. Efforts to remove kingpins have also often left dangerous power vacuums which provoke more bloodshed as rival factions fight for control.
David Mora, Mexico analyst for International Crisis Group, said he expected to see violence spike. “El Mencho was a very powerful figure who ran a very centralised organisation. There is no clear direct heir or successor,” he said. This could create a struggle for control within the group, he added, while other cartels may seize the moment to launch turf wars.
Authorities in Puerto Vallarta, a popular seaside tourist destination in Jalisco state, issued public advice to stay indoors when violence erupted.
Videos shared on social media showed cars and buildings ablaze in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, with tourists walking on the beach with smoke rising in the distance.
In nearby Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city which is scheduled to be one of the 2026 World Cup host cities, the streets were almost empty on Sunday as fearful residents stayed home.
More than 1,000 people were also stuck in Guadalajara’s zoo overnight, according to its director, Luis Soto Rendón, to shield from the chaos outside. “We decided to let people stay inside the zoo for their safety,” he said. “There are small children and senior citizens.”
In a fast-moving situation, rumours spread that large airports were shut after videos showed people running for cover in airport halls. The government said that while some flights had been diverted, the airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Tepic were operating normally.
The ministry of foreign affairs released a statement on Monday that appeared to be an attempt to reassure people. “In Mexico, the rule of law prevails, and under the leadership of President Claudia Sheinbaum, work continues every day to ensure security and wellbeing in our country,” it said.
Donald Trump has recently threatened direct military action against cartels and the White House confirmed that the US provided intelligence support to the raid.
Mora, of International Crisis Group, said the operation was a way for Sheinbaum to show Trump that Mexico can handle the cartels by itself, without US forces being involved.
“This is the Mexican government telling the White House: ‘Look, our strategy is working,’” he said.
