Mexico deploys thousands of soldiers as violence erupts after death of ‘El Mencho’

By Bulelwa Hoala

El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed by Mexican military forces, triggering widespread violence across 20 Mexican states.
The raid left 25 National Guard members and 34 suspected gang members dead, with cartel members retaliating by blocking roads and setting vehicles, banks, and businesses on fire.
The CJNG cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug organisations, is a major trafficker of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States.

Violence has erupted in at least 20 states in Mexico following the death of drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes (59), who went by the alias “El Mencho”, on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

The BBC reports that the Mexican government deployed 9,500 troops across the country on Sunday and an additional 2,500 soldiers on Monday.

El Mencho, a former police officer and the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was captured and killed by Mexican military forces in Jalisco on Sunday after authorities tracked down his romantic partner.

During the raid, 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard and 34 suspected gang members were killed. In retaliation, cartel members blocked roads and torched buses, cars, banks, and businesses.

El Mencho was one of the most wanted cartel leaders in Mexico. The United States had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest. His CJNG cartel is regarded as one of Mexico’s most powerful drug organisations and is a key trafficker of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the US.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on Monday, 23 February, to the families of the National Guard members who lost their lives.

“The most important thing right now is to guarantee the peace and security of the entire population. When something like this happens, we need to be very coordinated and face the situation with great responsibility,” she said.

“We will continue to deliver results, and people can know that we are working every day for their safety and for peace. There is a government and there is a Mexican state,” she added.