The U.S. government has warned its citizens in several Mexican states to remain indoors amid heightened security operations, road blockages, and outbreaks of violence following the reported death of a top cartel leader.
The advisory applies to Jalisco State—including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara—Tamaulipas State, including Reynosa, and areas of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León. Americans in these regions are urged to shelter in place until further notice.
The alert follows Mexico’s announcement that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed during a security operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Details of the operation have not been fully disclosed.
Under Oseguera’s leadership, the CJNG became one of Mexico’s most violent and influential criminal organisations, involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and armed territorial control. The cartel is known for high-intensity attacks on security forces and coordinated disruptions in urban areas.
Following the announcement, unrest erupted in multiple states, with residents reporting blocked highways, vehicles set ablaze, and public transport suspended—particularly in Guadalajara. Authorities warned that such reactions are typical cartel tactics aimed at demonstrating power and disrupting mobility.
Security analysts note that while eliminating a cartel leader is a tactical win, it often sparks internal conflicts, succession battles, and a temporary spike in violence. Past operations of this nature in Mexico have frequently caused short-term instability rather than dismantling criminal networks.
The incident also carries international implications. U.S. leaders have pressed Mexico to strengthen anti-cartel measures, while Mexico’s president has rejected any foreign military intervention, emphasizing national sovereignty and continued bilateral cooperation.
The CJNG remains a significant source of methamphetamine and fentanyl entering the United States, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.
