2026 Jalisco operation

On 22 February 2026, Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and six others were killed in a security operation by the Mexican Army in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico. The operation caused armed fights in the area, causing mass shootings, explosions and multiple vehicles and stores being set on fire throughout the state and much of the rest of the country. After El Mencho was killed, cartels began retaliatory attacks against the army and tourist spaces.

The United States gave intelligence information to the Mexican government through a task force they created to fight against cartels.

The clashes have caused many deaths for both the National Guard and cartel members, as well as at least one civilian death. The operation also left many foreign tourists stuck in their hotels or tourist areas while fligts were disrupted.

References

Category:February 2026 events
Category:2020s in Mexico