The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, has plunged Mexico into disorder. The CJNG leader fell in a military ambush bolstered by U.S. intel, prompting a savage cartel counteroffensive that scorched roads and ensnared tourists.
Defense officials detailed the Sunday raid: eight cartel enforcers down, part of a broader toll exceeding 25 security deaths, one civilian casualty, 30+ cartel fatalities, and 70 arrests. CIA tips were instrumental, per insider accounts to The Washington Post.
CJNG fighters hit back hard, mounting 85+ barricades and incinerating vehicles nationwide. Resort haven Puerto Vallarta turned nightmarish for Americans. ‘Flames everywhere – six cars and a tanker gone,’ described South Carolina’s Eugene Marchenko. Networks like Fox News captured the desperation of those caught in the crossfire.
Flight suspensions to key airports triggered a U.S. crisis response, with nonstop calls flooding hotlines. Security advisories stressed caution in hotspots, urging verification before travel.
By Monday, President Sheinbaum claimed restoration of most operations, but skepticism lingers. Pundits foresee intensified rivalries in the CJNG’s power void, especially in Jalisco, primed for World Cup glory in 2026.
As Mexico’s top-tier criminal empire with U.S. trafficking ties, CJNG’s resilience tests official resolve. Vows to eradicate such networks echo hollow amid recurring bloodbaths, highlighting the endless drug war grind.