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By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
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The U.S. State Department has issued a warning for Americans in Mexico to "shelter in place" until further notice after the Mexican army successfully killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The Associated Press confirmed the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as "El Mencho," on Sunday, citing a federal official who requested anonymity.
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email on Sunday afternoon for comment.
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Why It Matters
President Donald Trump earlier this month said he plans to launch "very hard" land strikes in Latin America as his administration expands its efforts to combat drug trafficking. The administration has controversially has carried out strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean that officials have said are drug traffickers.
He specifically mentioned going after Mexican cartels, which he said are "running Mexico" and killing 250,000 to 300,000 people in the U.S. every year.
He previously signed a directive ordering the U.S. military to target drug cartels and other groups designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, a move that raised concerns about diplomacy and presidential overreach.
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What To Know
The military carried out an operation in the state of Jalisco on Sunday after burning vehicles were spotted in Jalisco and other states, a common tactic to block military operations. Video on social media showed plumes of smoke billowing of the city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, issued a statement on X, writing that all state governments in the country are in "absolute coordination" and "activities are proceeding with complete normality" in the "vast majority of the national territory."
"The Secretariat of National Defense reported on the operation carried out this morning by federal forces, which resulted in various blockades and other reactions," Sheinbaum wrote, according to a translation on X, adding, "We work every day for peace, security, justice, and the well-being of Mexico."
The U.S. State Department's Consular Affairs issued a security alert on X, writing: " Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the following locations should shelter in place until further notice: Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (including Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State."
Air Canada also issued a travel advisory, writing on X that the airline has "temporarily suspended operations" in Puerto Vallarta's airport.
"We are monitoring the situation and in contact with local authorities who are working to resolve the issue," the airline wrote, adding that customers are advised not to attempt to go to the airport unless their flight has confirmed operation on the Air Canada website.
The Trump administration had designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, noting its rapid rise over the past 17 years to arguably rival the Sinaloa cartel in power and presence. The Jalisco cartel is one of the main suppliers of cocaine to the U.S. and earns billions from the production of fentanyl and methamphetamines.
The cartel made a name as one of the most violent and aggressive groups by attacking the military, and in 2020 carried out an assassination attempt with grenades and high-powered rifles against the then-head of Mexico City's police force.
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Who Was 'El Mencho'?
Cervantes, who went by the moniker "El Mencho," has been Mexico's most wanted man and among the most wanted in the United States: The U.S. offered a reward of $15 million, while Mexico offered 300 million Mexican pesos for information leading to his arrest.
U.S. officials charged Cervantes in 2014 with offenses relating to drug trafficking, money laundering and unlawful us and possession of a firearm. He founded the Jalisco cartel in 2009 as another local cartel began to lose power.
He allegedly used "extreme violence, corruption and extortion" to increase his cartel's presence in Mexico, forcing out other groups in the process as the Jalisco cartel distributed multi-ton shipments of narcotics around Mexico and internationally.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who formerly served as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, wrote on X that Cervantes's death is "a great development for Mexico, the U.S., Latin America, and the world."
"The good guys are stronger than the bad guys," he wrote. "I’m watching the scenes of violence from Mexico with great sadness and concern. It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve."
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 2/22/26, 5:48 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 2/22/26, 3:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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