Mexican army kills leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel, official says

"The Mexican army killed the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho, " in an operation Sunday, a federal official said. The official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said it happened during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco. It followed several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states. Such tactics are commonly used by the cartels to block military operations."

"Videos circulating social media showed plumes of smoke billowing over the city of Puerto Vallarta, a major city in Jalisco, and sprinting through the airport of the state's capital in panic. On Sunday afternoon, Air Canada announced it was suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta "due to an ongoing security situation" and advised customers not to go to their airport. A vehicle sits charred after being set on fire, on a road in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026."

Mexican army forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, in a military operation in the western state of Jalisco. The operation followed hours of roadblocks and burning vehicles used by cartels to hinder security forces. Videos showed smoke over Puerto Vallarta and panic at the state capital's airport, prompting Air Canada to suspend flights there. The U.S. Embassy advised U.S. citizens in multiple states to shelter in place. The U.S. State Department had offered up to $15 million for information on El Mencho. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, founded in 2009, is known for attacks on the military, drone-launched explosives, mines and a 2020 assassination attempt in Mexico City, and was designated a foreign terrorist organization in February.

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