In the last decade, Mexico has had a prominent cartel presence across the country, the most notable of which is El Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which emerged around 2010 and quickly expanded into one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal groups. The CJNG built its reputation through extreme violence and military-style tactics, often carrying heavy weapons and committing coordinated attacks. The group is known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Operating in many Mexican states as well as internationally, the organization was led by the ruthless kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, for whom the United States offered a US$10 million bounty for information leading to his capture.
As the news spread and violence unfolded across many states, The Omega spoke with political science student Emilio Figueroa to understand how young Mexicans are feeling.
“It is important because he was the most wanted person in Mexico. But at the same time, it’s not as important as it sounds, because he’s probably going to get replaced by someone else,” Figueroa said.
On Feb. 22, El Mencho was killed by Mexican federal forces. Military and intelligence forces located his hideout in Tapalpa, Jalisco, after tracking down a romantic connection. The whole operation involved Mexico’s army and National Guard, with strategic and intelligence support from the United States government. According to the Associated Press, authorities described the mission as a targeted intelligence-based operation. The confrontation led to a gunfight, where El Mencho was wounded and later died on the way to a hospital.
As the news of his death rolled out, violence erupted across Mexico almost immediately, with cartel members setting fires, blocking highways and attacking security forces in multiple states. Roads were blocked with burning vehicles in coordinated arson attacks reported in at least six states. According to Euronews, Mexico went into high alert, suspending various public operations while airlines temporarily cancelled flights to parts of Jalisco amid the chaos. Additionally, The Guardian reported that the cartel’s revenge appeared to be organized, suggesting the CJNG maintained order even with their leader’s death.
“To be honest, it was somewhat expected,” Figueroa said. “Previously in Mexico, we had something called El Culiacanazo, which was when one of the sons of El Chapo was detained; they did the same thing in Culiacan. It was expected that if they killed the kingpin of the cartel, this was going to happen again.”
According to ABC7, at least 25 National Guard members were killed in gunfights and clashes across Jalisco and other states. As of Feb. 23, the total number of casualties exceeded 70, including security forces, suspected cartel members and even civilians. Additionally, the military and National Guard have confirmed many arrests of suspected cartel members in connection with the violence and chaos.
To many across the globe, the news that an influential cartel kingpin had been killed was shocking, as was the cartel’s violent responses.
“When events like this happen, it makes you think that Mexico is not getting safer. It is a beautiful country, but corruption and cartels are getting way too big,” Figueroa said, expressing that violence has reshaped his view of the country’s future.
What does this mean for Mexico? The death of such a prominent criminal figure like El Mencho has created uncertainty over cartel leadership, raising questions about who would take control of the CJNG. Al Jazeera reports that analysts warn of a potential power vacuum or fragmentation within the cartel, which could lead to further instability rather than immediate peace. Mexico has been fighting the cartel in the weeks following his death, deploying thousands more troops to Jalisco in an attempt to stabilize the situation. The Federal Government of Mexico has framed the whole operation as a major blow to organized crime; however, some past cartel operations in Mexico have led to short-term spikes in violence.
“It is just an ongoing cycle,” Figueroa said. “This is not a new chapter. Unless the Mexican government actually starts going after criminals and treating them like what they are, this is not going anywhere.”