Leader of Jalisco Cartel Killed as Violence Erupts Across Mexican States
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico:Violence erupted across several Mexican states, including Jalisco and its coastal city of Puerto Vallarta, after federal authorities confirmed that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), had died following a clash with special forces operatives.
Smoke from burning vehicles blackened the skies over Puerto Vallarta, a popular Pacific Coast tourist destination, while similar scenes unfolded in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, and other areas on Sunday morning.
The unrest forced several airlines to cancel flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, and some in-flight aircraft were turned around before reaching the city.
Federal authorities launched a special forces operation to capture Oseguera Cervantes in the municipality of Tapalpa, approximately 300 kilometres southeast of Puerto Vallarta, according to Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro. Oseguera Cervantes was wounded in the confrontation and died from his injuries while en route to Mexico City, the Secretariat of National Defence confirmed.
The violence has reportedly spread to the states of Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí, highlighting the extensive reach of criminal activity linked to the CJNG.
Authorities continue to assess the security situation as operations to stabilize affected areas remain underway.
