El Mencho is Dead: Mexico on Fire

When, on February 22, 2026, we were celebrating our marriage anniversary, the Mexican army killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho." I guess it ignited a big violence after the drug lord's death shook the country.

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He was Mexico's most wanted man and boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the world's most dangerous drug gangs. This news made CJNG members very angry, and they started attacks in different states. Strange but true, a gangster can do this to a full-fledged country.

El Mencho died in Tapalpa town, Jalisco state, his home area. The army raided that area with special forces, where El Mencho got bad wounds in a fight with soldiers. Six of his guards also died, and three soldiers were also hurt.

As per the government sources, he was taken to Mexico City's best hospital for treatment, but he passed away. I am sure the Mexican government thought it was an operation that should have brought cheers, but the cartel hit back hard.

Right after news spread, CJNG men blocked roads with spikes, nails, and fire. They took buses and trucks and set them on fire in the streets. In Guadalajara, shops and banks were burned, and the fire is still burning. People are staying in their homes; streets are empty. I am watching the news show as they are showing tourists watching everything from their hotel rooms as smoke rises and army helicopters flying low everywhere.

As I hear about the people getting killed, including National Guard members in Jalisco. Police are after the goons, arresting them for attacks and looting. President Claudia Sheinbaum sent thousands of soldiers to control things, but they are not yet under control.

The president is asking her countrymen to stay calm, although most places are coming back to normal now, but blocks are not cleared as yet, and Jalisco is still tense.

I am not surprised El Mencho, the man from Michoacan, next to Jalisco, was a policeman before turning criminal. His organization was involved in drug trade to the USA, and he was too violent. His family is also involved in crime; his son, daughter, and brother are in jail or under trial. He escaped arrest for years, even though the US had set a big reward on him.

As per the information filtering in, CJNG won't end; maybe more fights inside the gang for a new boss will take place, and more violence like this is likely to happen after the big cartel leaders die. I always thought Mexico already had a high crime rate, and this makes it worse. Now the airlines have stopped flights to some places, the army keeps watch, but people fear more clashes.

This story shows how drug wars hurt normal life in Mexico. Many businesses shut down, roads are blocked, and innocents die. The government promises strong action, but cartels are powerful. For Indians like us, it's like watching gang fights in movies, but these are real and sad in some parts of the world. The world watches if peace comes or more blood, but the way the world is behaving, anything is possible.