Many in Mexico fear more violence after army kills cartel leader 'El Mencho'

By — Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Megan Janetsky, Associated Press By — Fabiola Sanchez, Associated Press Fabiola Sanchez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Many in Mexico fear more violence after army kills cartel leader 'El Mencho' World Feb 23, 2026 11:36 AM EST GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Mexico Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said Monday 25 members of the National Guard were left dead in Jalisco in six separate attacks after the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho" was the boss of one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, notorious for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States and staging brazen attacks against government officials who challenged it. READ MORE: Mexican army kills Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader 'El Mencho' during operation to capture him He was killed during a shoot-out in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military attempted to capture him. Cartel members responded with violence across the country, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles. Also killed were a prison guard, an agent from the state prosecutor's office and a woman whom García Harfuch did not identify. He also said some 30 criminal suspects were killed in Jalisco and four others were killed in Michoacan. Several Mexican states canceled school on Monday, with local and foreign governments warning their citizens to stay inside after widespread violence erupted. President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm Monday and authorities said all of the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared. The president was expected to address the situation at her daily news briefing Monday morning. The White House confirmed that the U.S. provided intelligence support to the operation to capture the cartel leader and applauded Mexico's army for ta...