Abroad
Mexico cartel burns buildings & vehicles after drug lord with S$19 million bounty killed by govt
Widespread violence.
February 23, 2026, 11:15 AM
Cartel boss and drug kingpin Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed during a Mexican military operation on Feb. 23.
According to CNN , the raid by the military saw the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, trade fire with government forces.
Four gang members were killed at the scene. Osegeura and two others were seriously injured and subsequently died as they were being transported via aircraft to Mexico City.
The U.S. authorities had reportedly provided Mexican officials with "complementary information" that supported the operation.
According to NBC, the CJNG has been one of the most aggressive cartels and pioneered the use of explosives launched from drones and the laying of mines.
The death of Oseguera has led to violence in Mexico, with armed groups setting fire to buildings and vehicles.
The wreckage of a trailer following roadblocks and arson attacks carried out by members of organized crime in several states after a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed in Jalisco state, in Acapulco, Mexico, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Javier Verdin
A burnt bus stands at the site on the highway connecting Mexico City with the state of Puebla, following roadblocks and arson attacks carried out by members of organized crime in several states after a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed in Jalisco state, in Santa Rita Tlahuapan, Mexico, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Paola Garcia
A member of the cartel told Reuters that the attacks were carried out "in revenge for the leader's death".
He also warned that "internal killings are coming" by groups moving to take over.
Image from Reuters
