It’s total mayhem in the Jalisco region in Mexico right now.
One of Mexico’s most powerful cartel leaders, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — a.k.a. “El Mencho” — was killed by the army today.
Reuters confirmed:
Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as ‘El Mencho,’ has been killed in a military raid, Mexican officials said on Sunday, as the country’s government has been ramping up pressure on cartels after U.S. intervention threats.
Mexico’s defense ministry said a shootout in the western state of Jalisco left Oseguera seriously injured and he died during an air transfer to Mexico City. The ministry noted that U.S. authorities had provided “complementary information.”
Some reports indicate that the notorious cartel leader died during a joint operation between U.S. and Mexican forces.
But, at this time, it hasn’t been confirmed whether or not the U.S. played a role in killing El Mencho.
In retaliation, members of his brutal Jalisco New Generation Cartel are going berserk.
Tourists have been warned to shelter-in-place as these violent narco-terrorists wreck havoc across the big city of Guadalajara and the popular vacation spot of the Puerto Vallarta.
Here’s some wild footage of what’s happening:
🚨 AMERICANS IN MEXICO GET THE REAL ALERTS, NOT THE SPIN:
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) February 22, 2026
U.S. Consulate Guadalajara tells personnel to shelter in place as authorities respond to a fast-moving security incident in Jalisco.pic.twitter.com/PgoTqWAN5w
BREAKING:
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) February 22, 2026
🇲🇽 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco region in Mexico looks like it’s in a civil war
Violent scenes from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco region, Mexico, after CJNG launch retaliatory attacks following the elimination of their leader El Mencho. pic.twitter.com/Wol3s4gOma
🚨BREAKING: Puerto Vallarta has ERUPTED into full-scale cartel violence following the reported killing of El Mencho, kingpin of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), by Mexican forces today.
— Walter Curt (@wcdispatch) February 22, 2026
Roads blocked with burning vehicles, car bombings reported, thick smoke over the… pic.twitter.com/G51fJ2W2eu
Absolutely crazy stuff.
Cartel members have been seen burning cars and clashing with Mexican police.
Watch:
En este video se ve como sicarios despojan a un civil de su coche para incendiarlo en Guadalajara. Intenten salir lo menos posible porque el narco terrorismo se ensaña con inocentes. pic.twitter.com/ReYKw3GN0z
— Jorge García Orozco (@jorgegogdl) February 22, 2026
Video showing clashes between CJNG and Mexican authorities in Guadalajara, Jalisco pic.twitter.com/XLY5ke7VjR
— All Source News (@All_Source_News) February 22, 2026
They even set a fire at the local Costco:
Multiple vehicles burn in the parking lot of a Costco in Puerto Vallarta, as the CJNG Cartel continues its rampage throughout the city and across the Mexican state of Jalisco. pic.twitter.com/z0iHsGItMA
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 22, 2026
Gunfire was also reported at the Guadalajara Airport, which cartel members allegedly stormed.
See for yourself:
🚨 BREAKING: Total MAYHEM is erupting at Guadalajara Airport in Mexico after Mexican cartel leader "El Mencho" was killed at the hands of the nation's army
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 22, 2026
CJNG members are reportedly trying to storm the area and other locations
This is ABSOLUTELY INSANE.pic.twitter.com/nHdzDGlQy5
🚨BREAKING: Videos have emerged showing people fleeing for their lives from Guadalajara Airport in Mexico as alleged members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel reportedly entered with guns and began firing shots. pic.twitter.com/5NwMLBSrbN
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) February 22, 2026
Some of them also tried (but ultimately failed) to set a gas station on fire:
Cartel members seen lighting a gas station on fire in Guadalajara pic.twitter.com/U92Dr9PjBr
— TaraBull (@TaraBull) February 22, 2026
Here are some more clips from an independent journalist who is staying at a Puerto Vallarta resort right now:
Airports shut down, military getting involved, power may soon be cut, our resort is surrounded by burning cars, the situation is intense! pic.twitter.com/7Jo3RGMZCF
— Dan Dicks (@DanDicksPFT) February 22, 2026
Breaking: Major Cartel war with extreme violence happening now in Puerto Vallarta Mexico (updated with footage) pic.twitter.com/rbwX1bQKtK
— Dan Dicks (@DanDicksPFT) February 22, 2026
The Los Angeles Times shared more details on the chaos going on in the region:
In the past, the capture or death of a cartel leader has led to violence, as factions compete for control. On Sunday, chaos erupted across western Mexico.
A family sheltering in place in the state of Jalisco — who asked not to be identified because of safety concerns — said cartel members were pulling people out of vehicles in the street at setting them on fire. Cars, trucks and buses going up in flames and emitting plumes of dark smoke were visible on roads in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, according to footage circulating on social media, as well as in the states of Nayarit and Michoacán.
The governor of Jalisco reported roadblocks and other disturbances throughout the western state and advised people to stay home. Flights were suspended at the airport in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco.
Authorities also reported blocked roads in other areas of Mexico where the cartel held sway. Criminal groups in Mexico often use roadblocks to protest enforcement actions.
The reported death of Oseguera is a major achievement for the government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has been under intense pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on U.S.-bound drug trafficking. In the last year, Mexico has dispatched scores of cartel suspects to the United States to face justice.
If you’re thinking of vacationing in Mexico anytime soon, you might want to re-think your travel plans.
Please pray for the safe return of all Americans in this region right now.
Maybe it’s time for President Trump to step in…
This event won't end well at all for the cartels.
— 10 Watt Brain (@10WattBrain) February 22, 2026
The cartels have just given Trump license to clean house throughout the country, regardless of Scheinbaum’s almost certain vociferous protests.
Thank God we don't have President Harris!
Your thoughts?
