Mexico Sends 10,000 Troops Into The Streets After Drug Lord’s Death Sparks Nationwide Chaos

Mexico is scrambling to restore calm after one of the most feared criminal figures in the country’s modern history was killed in a military operation, unleashing a wave of violence that has left families, tourists and entire cities on edge.

El Mencho’s Final Stand

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known across Mexico as El Mencho, was the elusive powerhouse behind the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a group long considered one of the most violent criminal organisations in the world. He had evaded capture for years and carried a massive 15 million dollar US bounty.

Authorities say his luck finally ran out during a military raid in Tapalpa, a small mountain town in Jalisco. He was wounded in a shootout with soldiers and died while being flown to Mexico City for treatment. Within hours, Mexico witnessed a violent retaliation that spread far beyond cartel territory.

Violence Erupts Across 20 States

News of El Mencho’s death triggered road blockades, arson attacks and gun battles in 20 states. Vehicles and businesses were torched. Entire neighbourhoods shut down. A prison in Jalisco came under fire, allowing at least 23 inmates to escape in the chaos.

In total, Mexican officials reported 27 security personnel killed, along with 46 suspected cartel members and one civilian as clashes spiralled through the weekend.

Residents in Guadalajara described the city as unrecognisable. Schools shut their doors. Public transport stopped. Pharmacies and shops rolled down their shutters, leaving long queues outside the few stores that dared to open.

A retiree told AFP that “nearly everything is closed,” while others spoke of sleepless nights and uncertainty about when calm would truly return.

Tourist Destinations Hit Hard

The shockwaves were felt far beyond Jalisco. Puerto Vallarta, normally buzzing with beachgoers, experienced disruptions so intense that dozens of flights from the United States and Canada were cancelled.

Travel advisories from Canada, the UK and the United States urged tourists to be cautious. Australia advised travellers to remain alert due to ongoing security risks.

For a country preparing to host matches for this year’s FIFA World Cup, the timing could not be worse. Jalisco, one of the designated host states, now sits under massive military presence as officials race to stabilise the region.

A Power Vacuum And Fears Of What Comes Next

El Mencho’s death represents a turning point for Mexico’s criminal landscape. He was regarded as one of the last remaining cartel bosses operating in the old mould made infamous by figures like Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán and Ismael El Mayo Zambada.

CJNG’s rapid rise since its formation in 2009 was largely shaped by El Mencho’s ruthless command. Now, experts warn the absence of a clear successor could spark internal fragmentation and violent power struggles.

His son, Ruben El Menchito Oseguera, was convicted in Washington last year, removing another potential heir. Analysts say the cartel may now face battles from within and challenges from rival groups looking to exploit the uncertainty.

How Authorities Tracked Him Down

Mexico’s defence officials revealed that a breakthrough came from monitoring one of El Mencho’s girlfriends. Intelligence teams, supported by US military assistance, traced a planned meeting between the two, leading them to the ranch where the raid unfolded.

The White House confirmed it provided intelligence support, although Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was quick to stress that no US forces were physically involved in the capture.

Authorities say they seized heavy weaponry during the operation, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft. They also confirmed the death of Hugo H, known as El Tuli, one of El Mencho’s top lieutenants.

Pressure From Washington

The raid came amid renewed pressure from the Trump administration for Mexico to crack down harder on drug trafficking. Washington has officially classified the CJNG as a terrorist organisation due to its vast distribution network of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States.

Tariff threats and political tension have hung over the US Mexico relationship for months, making this operation a politically charged moment for both countries.

A Country Caught Between Fear And Hope

Although calm is slowly returning, many cities remain fragile. Businesses are reopening in small numbers, schools are still cautious and soldiers continue to patrol major streets.

For millions of Mexicans, El Mencho’s death marks the end of an era defined by fear and cartel dominance. Yet it also raises a troubling question: will this moment lead to peace, or open the door to an even more unpredictable chapter?

As the government deploys 10,000 troops in a fight for stability, the country watches closely, hoping this is a step toward lasting security rather than another surge in violence.

{Source:EWN}

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