The most powerful criminal drug lord in Mexico, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG0, Nemeso Oseguera Cervantes also known as El Mencho was killed. At the news of his death the members launched a campaign of violence throughout Mexico as a sign of retaliation for their leader’s death.
The New Generation Jalisco Cartel has a long history, but currently they have been known for smuggling fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States and other countries around the world.
They operated throughout Mexico with Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima being a few of their strongholds. The CJNG is also involved in manufacturing, trafficking, theft, and more.
On February 22, the Mexican army killed EL Mencho, the country’s most wanted and feared cartel leader. The army and aided U.S intelligence surrounded the area EL Mencho was staying, in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco State.
The Cartel gunmen then began to open fire in which special forces repelled that ended up leaving eight suspected members dead. El Mencho fled to a nearby wooded area but was pursued by the special forces which led into another exchange of gunfire.
After the gunfire took place Oseguera was found injured with gunshot wounds to his chest, abdomen, and legs. Additionally, he was airlifted by a helicopter to a medical facility, but he died during the flight to the hospital. This set of events then led to a new streak of violence to occur throughout Mexico.
According to this article, at the news of Osegueras death chaos was unleashed. Cartel operatives set up roadblocks, burned vehicles and turned the streets into ghost towns across 20 states, even highways were shut down.
The violence from the Cartel became so horrifying that airlines cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta which is a city located in Jalisco. Schools cancelled class and authorities told residents to remain indoors.
Authorities have stated that there have been nearly 80 separate acts of violence within Jalisco including armed confrontations and attacks on stores, banks, gas stations and more. Even public transport was shut down within the areas of the attacks of violence. The city seemed to be turning into ruins with almost everything being forced to close.
According to this article, the series of events that were unleashed from the CJNG has killed around 90 people. Some of them being civilians some, 25 soldiers and 46 suspected members of the CJNG. This has caused a sweep of emotions over Mexico.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is known as one of the most aggressive cartels out there from attacking the military to launching explosives and with the death of El Mecho their violent streak only grows more on a dialup basis. Several towns and cities are starting to look like war zones with the widespread of violence. Families and stranded tourist shelter in place and try to stock up on supplies as it’s dangerous to be going out around the towns.
Although Mexico is trying to find some normality among the events that have occurred there is still a sense of fear and anxiety swirling around. Civilians are continuing to try to find peace among the ongoing storm in Mexico.
