Videos of CJNG cartel members creating havoc in Mexico after El Mencho’s death go viral

Shocking videos showing burning vehicles, blocked highways, and panicked civilians flooded social media after the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho.” The dramatic scenes followed a high-stakes military operation targeting the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal groups.

Mexican armed forces have killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho,” the longtime head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a high-stakes operation in western Mexico. His passing marks one of the most major blows against organized crime in recent years and has already ignited violent reprisals across several states.

Who was El Mencho?

Born in Michoacan, Oseguera Cervantes previously served as a former police officer who became deeply involved in drug trafficking in the 1990s. As a young man, he relocated to the United States and in 1994 was convicted in California for conspiracy to distribute heroin, serving almost 3years in prison.

Upon returning to Mexico, he aligned with drug lord Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, called “Nacho Coronel.” After Villarreal’s passing, Oseguera Cervantes and Erik Valencia Salazar, alias “El 85,” founded the CJNG around 2007. Primarily connected to the Sinaloa cartel, the group later separated and engaged in continuous turf wars.

Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes has encountered several indictments in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

How the Operation Unfolded

Mexico’s Defense Ministry said special forces, supported by the National Intelligence Center and the Attorney General’s Office, carefully created the mission. Troops were used along with National Guard units and Air Force aircraft to secure the mountainous region.

“During this operation, Mexican military personnel were attacked, and in defense of their physical integrity, they repelled the aggression. This resulted in four members of the 'CJNG' criminal group dying at the scene and three others being severely wounded, who lost their lives during their airlift to Mexico City,” the ministry stated.

“Among the latter is Ruben "N" (alias Mencho); however, the corresponding authorities will be in charge of the forensic activities to confirm his identification.”

Two additional cartel members were apprehended. Authorities seized armored vehicles, heavy-caliber firearms, and rocket launchers reportedly capable of aiming the aircraft. Three members of the armed forces sustained wounds and were transported to Mexico City for treatment.

The ministry then mentioned that the operation depended on intelligence cooperation, citing the “information was provided by U.S. authorities within the framework of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the United States.” Both governments had positioned major rewards on Oseguera Cervantes, $15 million from Washington and 300 million pesos from Mexico.

Violent Backlash Across Multiple States

News of El Mencho’s death provoked a rapid and widespread reaction. Cartel members erected roadblocks using burning vehicles in Jalisco and neighboring states which included Tamaulipas, Michoacan, and Nayarit. Dense smoke hovered above Puerto Vallarta, while anxiety intensified in Guadalajara as inhabitants hurried indoors.

Public transportation was suspended in many regions, and schools were shut on Monday in parts of the area. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged citizens to be at home and canceled large public events. Mexico’s Security Cabinet used reinforcements from central and neighboring states to contain the unrest.

Air travel was also interrupted. Air Canada temporarily paused flights to Puerto Vallarta, noting the “ongoing security situation.”

Buildings and vehicles were vandalised as hundreds of fire blazes illuminated the horizon of Guadalajara. Cartel members torched vehicles across almost a multiple state and even ripped apart regions of roadway, an approach frequently used to obstruct security forces. Thick smoke drifted over the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, while unrest spread into neighboring Michoacan, another area where the CJNG has a strong presence.

Residents largely remained indoors as violence escalated. Schools were shut in Guadalajara, and reports suggested that armed men fired weapons openly while setting fire to petrol stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, and other businesses.

Maria Medina, an employee at a gas station that was attacked, explained the terror of the moment. Armed men reportedly ordered everyone to evacuate before setting the premises aflame. “I thought they were going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to take cover with the people there,” Medina told AFP.

Retaliation by CJNG Members

According to multiple reports and visual records shared on social platforms and by news outlets, cartel members reacted almost immediately following the news of El Mencho’s death:

• Burning vehicles and blockades: CJNG fighters ignited cars, buses, and trucks to create roadblocks across several Mexican states, stopping traffic and delaying military deployments.
• Airport disruptions: Flights at key hubs like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were cancelled or delayed as crowds sought safety. International carriers cited “ongoing security concerns.”
• Smoke and panic captured on camera: Footage shows plumes of smoke rising over cities like Puerto Vallarta, while terrified residents and visitors were captured running through transport terminals.

Social media posts from observers cautioned of the cartel’s capacity to “paralyze entire cities overnight,” featuring widespread alarm at the level of coordination and intensity of the violence

International Reaction and Security Warnings

The U.S. government issued advisories advising citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon to shelter in place. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed the operation, naming it “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,” while featuring concern over the violence that followed.

Canadian officials similarly urged their citizens in Puerto Vallarta to stay indoors and maintain a low profile until the situation stabilizes.

FAQs:

Q1. Who was El Mencho?

El Mencho was the alias of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes. He led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal groups.

Q2. What is CJNG?

The CJNG is a major Mexican drug trafficking organization. It is known for its aggressive tactics and international drug distribution networks.