Mexico News Updates: Highways Blocked, Vehicles Torched, Flights Ops Hit After ‘El Mencho’ Killed

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is regarded by the US DEA as one of Mexico’s most powerful and ruthless transnational criminal organizations.

Formed in 2011 from remnants of the Sinaloa Cartel-linked Milenio Cartel, CJNG operates independently, with key members connected through blood or marriage to the Gonzalez-Valencia money laundering network, also known as Los Cuinis.

According to the DEA, the cartel generates billions of dollars from the production of illegal synthetic drugs and is one of the primary suppliers of cocaine to the US market.

Widespread clashes broke out in Mexico after the military killed Nemesio Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

In response to the unrest, authorities in Jalisco and Nayarit ordered schools to remain closed on Monday as a temporary safety precaution.

Following violent unrest in Mexico, several US and Canadian airlines canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

Airlines including United, Southwest, American, and Air Canada suspended services to affected cities, while travel advisories were issued for passengers.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand wrote on X, “Canada is closely monitoring the serious and rapidly evolving security situation in Jalisco State, Mexico, including in and around Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.”

She added: “We are deeply alarmed by reports of violence following a major security operation, including armed clashes, roadblocks, and vehicles set on fire in multiple areas. We are aware that local authorities have issued shelter-in-place orders in some locations, and the situation remains fluid.”

“The safety and security of Canadians abroad remain our highest priority,” the statement continued, noting that an updated travel advisory for Mexico has been issued.

According to the advisory, Canadians have been advised to “exercise a high degree of caution” while travelling in the country.

Four high-profile football matches in Mexico were postponed after the Mexican army killed Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”

Two top-flight fixtures — Queretaro vs. Juarez FC in the men’s tournament and Chivas vs. America in the women’s league — were postponed, while two second-division matches were also called off.

Mexico is set to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside the United States and Canada.

Former US ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau hailed the killing of drug lord El Mencho in Mexico, describing the development as a major achievement.

“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins. This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” he wrote on X.

“The good guys are stronger than the bad guys./Los buenos somos más que los malos,” he added.

US President Donald Trump shared a cryptic message on Truth Social.

“We’re Winning too much, it’s just not fair! President DJT,” he wrote. Although he did not mention Mexico or the operation, some have linked the post to the cartel leader’s killing.

Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has imposed strict measures along the US-Mexico border, declaring a national emergency over the flow of drugs and narcotics. He has also threatened tariffs on Mexico if it failed to crack down on cartels.

As Mexico launched a major security operation against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) on Sunday, the United States confirmed it had provided intelligence support.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that while the raid was ordered and carried out by the Mexican government, the Trump administration supplied key intelligence.

Mexican Special Forces killed cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” during the operation in Jalisco. According to Mexico’s defence ministry, he was critically wounded and died while being airlifted to Mexico City.

Mexico’s most wanted drug kingpin, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — widely known as “El Mencho” and the head of the notorious Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel — was killed on Sunday in a major military operation in the western state of Jalisco, authorities confirmed.

His death sparked widespread unrest and violence across the country. Read More

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the killing of Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” in a military operation as a “great development for Mexico, the U.S., Latin America, and the world.”

However, Landau also expressed concern over the unrest that followed, writing in a post on X that he was watching the scenes of violence in Mexico “with great sadness and concern.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Sunday urged her citizens to remain calm and stay indoors following the military operation that killed drug network kingpin Nemesio Oseguera.

“There is absolute coordination with governments in every state; we should keep ourselves informed and stay calm,” Sheinbaum wrote on X.

Several Mexican football matches were suspended on Sunday as unrest spread following the killing of cartel leader El Mencho in a federal security operation in Jalisco.

The cancellations included Round 7 fixtures of the Clausura tournament in Liga MX, multiple women’s league matches, and an international friendly between Mexico and Iceland, according to AFP.

Following similar action by the United States, Canada has issued a travel advisory for its citizens in Mexico, urging them to “keep a low profile and follow the advice of local authorities.”

The advisory specifically asks Canadians in the states of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Jalisco to shelter in place, citing reports of shootouts with security forces and explosions.

Several US and Canadian airlines canceled flights to parts of Mexico following violent unrest after the killing of drug lord El Mencho in a security operation in Jalisco.

American carriers including United, Southwest, and Alaska, along with Canadian airlines Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing, suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo.