Mexico is a "war-zone" as of 6:00 PM eastern US time Sunday, February 22, 2026.
"El Mencho" the founder and leader of the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) was Killed in MAJOR Mexican Military Raid earlier today. Within an hour, CJNG and other Cartels began to retaliate Countrywide. Bombings, shootings, arson attacks . . . . in TOURIST areas!
Mexican officials confirmed US authorities provided key intelligence that aided the operation. The new US Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JIATF-CC) supported intel sharing with Mexican forces.
There was, and has been, NO direct US military participation (troops or strikes); this was a Mexican-led operation. US officials praised the result, but Mexican special forces received specialized training from US Navy SEAL instructors shortly before the raid.
Mexican Army and National Guard raided a location in Tapalpa, Jalisco, killing Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (El Mencho), founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Seven CJNG members died in the firefight (including El Mencho, who succumbed en route to Mexico City). Weapons including rocket launchers and armored vehicles were seized; three Mexican soldiers were wounded.
CJNG retaliation erupted immediately: burning vehicles, roadblocks, highway barricades, and clashes spread from Jalisco (Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta) to other states including Michoacán, Guerrero, Nayarit, and Colima. Chaos reported at Guadalajara airport with suspended flights and panic; schools closed in Jalisco; businesses shuttered in affected areas.
President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the killing, urged calm, and stated most of the country remains stable. US and Canadian embassies issued shelter-in-place alerts for citizens in Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León. Non-essential travel to impacted regions strongly discouraged.
CJNG is Mexico's most powerful and violent cartel, founded around 2009–2011 (While Obama was POTUS) as a splinter from the Milenio Cartel. Under El Mencho it expanded aggressively, trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into nearly all 50 US states (major driver of the opioid crisis).
Known for extreme tactics: armed drones, IEDs, attacks on military, public executions, and territorial wars. Designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US in February 2026.
Videos from many places inside Mexico, are being uploaded to social media, showing FEROCIOUS gun battles between Police and Cartel forces:
🚨Update: Cartel forces are fighting Mexican Troops and Police with orders from their Drug Lords to kill all soldiers and police they can across Mexico. Fire fights like this are taking place right now across the country, including the border!! pic.twitter.com/J0lwRZAI13
— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) February 22, 2026
Mexico is being described as a "war zone" right now. It is expected to get worse. Much worse.
CJNG Cartel Members have launched mass attacks across Mexico after their leader was taken out in a special operation. I edited this compilation together so you can see how bad it really is! pic.twitter.com/UQkhHePnE1
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) February 22, 2026
