The Mexican authorities have deployed ten thousand soldiers in the west of the country to confront violence launched by gunmen since the killing of the leader of the "Jalisco New Generation" gang, Nemesio Oseguera, nicknamed "El Mencho", on Sunday during a military operation. The confrontations caused the death of at least 25 members of the security forces and about 30 gang members.

Published on: 02/24/2026 - 08:48

Mexico deployed ten thousand soldiers in the west of the country to end the bloody violence that broke out after the killing of a drug gang leader and led to dozens of deaths.

The Mexican army said in a statement that the leader of the "Jalisco New Generation" cartel, Nemesio Oseguera, nicknamed "El Mencho," was injured in an operation carried out in the Tapalpa region in the state of Jalisco (west), and died "while being transported by air to Mexico City."

Subsequently, individuals believed to belong to the cartel committed acts of violence in 20 states.

Armed men blocked several roads with burning cars and trucks in the state of Jalisco, where charred and burning remains of vehicles were seen at night.

About 25 security personnel and 30 militants were killed

At least 25 security personnel and about 30 members of the "Jalisco New Generation" were killed in violence that occurred the day after the incident, according to what the Mexican government announced Monday.

In this context, Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfouch reported on Monday that at least 25 members of the National Guard, in addition to a security guard and an employee of the Public Prosecution Office, were killed in attacks carried out by the “Jalisco New Generation,” which is one of the largest drug cartels, following the killing of its leader. Harfouche added that during these events that took place in Jalisco, a woman and 30 cartel members were killed by security forces.

The government also announced the deployment of 2,500 additional soldiers in Jalisco, bringing to ten thousand the total number of military personnel deployed in the state since Sunday.

Implications for the 2026 World Cup?

The authorities are seeking to prevent the escalation of unrest four months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is organized by Mexico in cooperation with the United States and Canada, noting that Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco and the second largest city in the country, is one of its host cities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday morning the removal of all roadblocks, but some of them were spotted near Guadalajara and the site of the clashes with "El Mencho." Sheinbaum said in a press conference that “the most important thing” is “protecting the population,” stressing that “the country is calm and peaceful.”

But in Guadalajara, there was little movement in the streets, and most commercial establishments were closed Monday for fear of violence. Schools were closed in Jalisco and about ten other states.

In response, a FIFA spokeswoman said that the International Federation of Association Football did not wish to make any comment on the situation in Mexico.

What is the American role in the operation?

It was L-Min

Shaw (59 years old) is the last major leader of the drug cartels, after the founders of the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquín Guzmán “El Chapo” and his partner, Ismael “Mayo” Zambada, were arrested and placed in an American prison. He is one of the most wanted men from Mexico and the United States, which offered a financial reward of up to $15 million to anyone who provides information that allows for his arrest.

In 2025, Washington classified the “Jalisco New Generation” cartel, which Oseguera founded in 2009, as a terrorist organization, and accused it of trafficking in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

President Sheinbaum also stressed that “US forces were not involved in the operation,” but they helped “exchange information.”

The killing of El Mencho raises questions about who will succeed him at the head of one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world.

In this regard, Gerardo Rodriguez, a security expert at the University of the Americas in Puebla, considered that Oseguera was managing all the affairs of the cartel and there were no obvious candidates to succeed him, which could lead to splits within the ranks of this criminal organization.

France 24/AFP

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