25 Mexican National Guard troops killed after cartel leader's death

Twenty-five Mexican National Guard troops were killed in six separate attacks across Jalisco on February 23, 2026, following the death of notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' who was killed during a military operation targeting the powerful drug trafficker. The cartel responded violently to the loss of its leader, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles across multiple states, forcing authorities to cancel schools and governments to warn citizens to stay indoors. U.S. military officials confirmed they provided intelligence support for the operation through the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, emphasizing that the operation itself was conducted by Mexican forces. The violence erupted after Mexican military troops killed El Mencho during a shootout in his home state of Jalisco as they attempted to capture him. The cartel leader, who had a $15 million U.S. bounty on his head, was one of the world's biggest fentanyl traffickers and was responsible for smuggling significant amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl to the United States. In addition to the 25 National Guard troops killed, at least 14 other people died, including a prison guard, an agent from the state prosecutor's office, and a woman whose identity was not disclosed. Mexican authorities reported that more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared by Monday morning, with President Claudia Sheinbaum urging calm during the crisis. The operation marks a significant victory in Mexico's fight against organized crime and comes amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration for Mexico to do more against drug cartels. President Trump called on Mexico to boost its efforts targeting cartels following the raid, while U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson praised the success of the Mexican armed forces. However, security analysts warn that the blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel could lead to increased violence as rival criminal groups attempt to seize control of territories previously dominated by the weakened organization. The cartel, known for its aggressive tactics against military forces and innovative use of drones and explosives, had been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration in February 2025.