"City Turned Into a Firestorm": 60 Killed in a Day...State of Emergency Before World Cup

Military Operation Backed by U.S. Intelligence Agencies
Over 60 Killed in a Single Day, Airport Closures and School Shutdowns
10,000 Troops Deployed in Response to Retaliatory Attacks

The Mexican government has killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho", the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), regarded as one of the largest drug-trafficking organizations in the world. However, a wave of retaliatory terror attacks by cartel members across Mexico immediately afterward is heightening security concerns ahead of the North and Central America World Cup.

A bus set on fire by an organized crime group in response to a Jalisco state operation to arrest a high-level security target was burning on February 22, 2026, on one of the main roads in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Jalisco is due to host four matches of the 2026 World Cup and is also the stronghold of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG); the state has suffered major unrest from several violent episodes in recent years. AFP Yonhap News Agency

In Sapopan, Mexico, after a drug cartel boss was killed in a military operation, cartel members set vehicles on fire to block roads, and police are securing the scene. Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

On February 24, Yonhap News reported that Mexican Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo announced at a regular press briefing that El Mencho died after being shot and transported during a military operation carried out in Tapalpa, in the western state of Jalisco. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico and Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch also attended the briefing.

Trevino Trejo Ricardo, Minister of National Defense of Mexico. EPA Yonhap News

Authorities tracked down El Mencho's partner and deployed a joint task force composed of army special forces, the National Guard, and the police. After a large-scale operation that even mobilized aircraft and combat helicopters, they captured El Mencho following a firefight with his security detail, but he was critically wounded and died while being transported to Mexico City. U.S. intelligence agencies were reported to have provided intelligence support, including location tracking, for the operation. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had placed a 15 million dollar (about 2.17 billion won) bounty on El Mencho. The Donald Trump administration had previously designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "We commend the Mexican government for carrying out this operation."

An aerial photograph captured smoke billowing in a fierce reaction to the killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho", leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on February 22, 2026. Photo by EPA Yonhap

On February 22, 2026, on one of the main roads in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, a man is extinguishing a truck set on fire by organized crime members in response to a Jalisco state operation to arrest a high-level security target. According to local authorities, after federal troops carried out an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, armed civilians blocked several roads across western Jalisco. Jalisco, which is scheduled to host four matches of the 2026 World Cup, is a stronghold of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and has suffered major unrest from multiple violent incidents in recent years. AFP and Yonhap

CJNG is a cartel based in Mexico that has been smuggling large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States. Along with the Sinaloa Cartel, it is considered one of Mexico's two major drug-trafficking organizations. Since its formation in 2009, it has rapidly expanded its influence and has gained infamy for its firepower, which includes the use of drone bombs, land mines, and even helicopters. However, the situation has deteriorated sharply since El Mencho's death. In several states, including Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacan, Puebla, and Tamaulipas, cartel members launched retaliatory attacks by blocking roads and setting vehicles and shops on fire. There were also attacks targeting military facilities.

Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico, a burned-out vehicle sits in front of a supermarket damaged following the death of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho. AP/Yonhap News

According to Mexican authorities, more than 70 people, including 25 agents, were killed during the operation and subsequent clashes. Local media reported that the death toll, including civilians not involved in the incident, exceeds 60. It was also tallied that more than 30 members of violent groups were additionally killed in a single day. As the situation escalated, the government deployed more than 2,500 additional troops to key areas, and said that, including the National Guard, the number of reinforced security personnel has reached 10,000. Schools in Jalisco have been ordered closed, and Puerto Vallarta International Airport was temporarily shut down, leading to the cancellation of more than 80 flights. President Sheinbaum stressed, "The most important thing is to guarantee peace and security through the stabilization of public order," adding, "We are doing everything in our power to protect the people of Mexico and foreign nationals staying in the country."

News reports say Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (also known as 'El Mencho') was killed. Reuters, Yonhap News

This situation, in particular, is amplifying international concern ahead of the North and Central America World Cup to be held in June. Security postures are being reviewed in major host cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara in Jalisco state, and Monterrey, but continued cartel reprisals are prompting criticism that public safety concerns have not been fully resolved. Local media assessed, "The Mexican government has achieved its largest operational success in order to demonstrate results in drug enforcement to the United States, but at the same time it has been put to the test by the spread of violence."