Mexico news Updates: El Mencho's killed — from India to Chile, countries issue travel advisory

Born as Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes later took the name Nemesio, reportedly in honour of his godfather, whose identity remains unknown. His name was eventually shortened to the alias “El Mencho", a nickname that has no clearly defined meaning and does not have a direct translation.

Videos circulating on social media showed tourists in Puerto Vallarta walking on the beach with smoke rising in the distance.

The image here shows smoke billowing amid a wave of violence, with torched vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, February 22, 2026.

“Due to the situation in some States of Mexico, we share the contact details of the Consulate General of Chile in Mexico City,” the authorities posted on X.

“It is recommended that Chilean nationals take the appropriate precautions and follow the instructions of the federal and local authorities.”

US Senator Dave McCormickI applauded Mexico's action against the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

“CJNG is a key supplier of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to the United States and one of Mexico’s most powerful and ruthless cartels. The Trump administration’s efforts to target transnational narco-terrorists and their networks are paying dividends. We must continue supporting our Mexican partners as they pursue those who are poisoning both of our communities,” he posted on X.

The government of Guadalajara said the liaison offices and the Jalisco Passport Office will remain closed on February 23.

“We inform you that, by instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in accordance with the prevention recommendations of the federal and state governments, the liaison offices and the Jalisco Passport Office will remain closed on February 23,” the government's post on X read.

“Scheduled appointments can be rescheduled during the week. We appreciate your understanding,” it added.

The US Mission to Mexico has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens. If you are an American in Mexico who needs consular assistance, you can call the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs at +1-202-501-4444 from outside the United States or +1-888-407-4747 from the United States or Canada

American tourists are reportedly trapped as roads were closed and flights were canceled in Mexico. American tourist Jim Beck told CNN he ventured outside his hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Sunday to get breakfast and saw “taxi cabs blown up all over town, blocking the roads.”

After the Mexican military killed drug lord El Machino, Trump posted on X, “Winning too much, it’s just not fair!” It's not clear if he was pointing to El Mencho's killing. Read full report here

The Australian government reminded citizens to “stay alert and follow the advice of the local authorities,” including a shelter-in-place advisory by Puerto Vallarta officials. Check full advisory here

US and Canadian airlines cancelled dozens of flights to Mexico over the violence, with Air Canada saying cancellations to Puerto Vallarta would stretch into at least Monday.

“The circulation of fake images, audios, and posts has been detected. Avoid sharing content without verifying its origin and confirm that it comes from official sources,” the government of Jalisco posted on X, with some screenshots.

Karoline Leavitt, the Assistant to the President and the 36th White House Press Secretary, posted on X, “The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated.”

She said, “‘El Mencho’ was a was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland.”

“Last year, President Trump rightfully designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization — because that’s exactly what it is. In this operation, three additional cartel members were killed, three were wounded, and two were arrested,” she said.

“President Trump has been very clear — the United States will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved,” she added.

“The Trump Administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation,” Leavitt said.

Hundreds of travellers were left stranded at Cancún International Airport and Lic Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico as at least 29 flights got cancelled and more got delayed. This comes after violence erupted over the killing of the leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes. Read full report here

Head of Government of Mexico City Clara Brugada Molina posted on X, “In the Security and Peacebuilding Cabinet of Mexico City, we are in permanent session monitoring today’s events, in coordination with the Federal Government.”

"The @SSC_CDMX will be providing updates on any relevant events for the residents of the capital. I call for calm and for people to seek information from official sources. We are working to guarantee prevention, security, and peacebuilding in the city," the statement added.

Here are links to the advisories issued by India and Canada. Tap to open the link:

Canada

India

United States (US)

In its advisory, the India embassy advised its citizens in Mexico to:

1. Avoid areas around law enforcement activity.

2. Be aware of your surroundings.

3. Seek shelter and minimise unnecessary movements outside your shelter.

4. Monitor local media for updates.

5. Follow the directions of local authorities and in case of emergency, call 911.

6. Avoid crowds.

7. Keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being via phone, text, and social media.

The Embassy of India in México issued a travel adviosry to its citizens amid violence over drug lord El Mencho's killing.

The embassy said, “There are ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, Indian nationals in Jalisco State (areas of Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (areas of Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State should shelter in place until further notice.”

Canada told its citizens in Mexico to avoid non-essential travel to the following states due to high levels of violence and organized crime:

1. Chiapas, excluding: the city and ruins of Palenque (and highway 186 leading there); the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez (and its airport and the main road leading there); the city of San Cristobal de las Casas (and toll highway 190D between this city and Tuxtla Gutiérrez)

2. Chihuahua, excluding Chihuahua City Colima, excluding the city of Manzanillo only if accessed by air Guanajuato, in all areas south of and including highways 43D and 45D; Guerrero, excluding the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo only if accessed by air; Jalisco, within 50 km of the border with Michoacán state; Lagunas de Zempoala National Park in Morelos; Michoacán, excluding the cities of Morelia and Patzcuaro; Nayarit, within 20 km of the border with the states of Sinaloa and Durango; Nuevo León, excluding the city of Monterrey; Sinaloa, excluding the following areas, and only if accessed by air or sea:

> The city of Los Mochis

> Specific areas in and around the city of Mazatlán:

> Centro Histórico south of Avenida Gutiérrez Najera

> The road connecting Centro Histórico to the airport

> The main coastal roads from Centro Histórico to Playa Delfines, including Zona Cerritos and Zona Dorada (the Golden Zone)

> The resorts on Playa Estrella del Mar and the road leading there from the airport

> Sonora, excluding the cities of Hermosillo, Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco

> Tamaulipas, excluding the city of Tampico only if accessed by air or sea

> Zacatecas, excluding the city of Zacatecas

The US Department of State issued a “shelter in place” alert for US citizens in parts of Mexico affected by criminal activity and road blockages after a top cartel leader was killed by local authorities.

The security alert covers the state of Jalisco, which has tourist hubs including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. The alert also includes areas in the states of Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León.

El Mencho was a former police officer who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, as it became one of the "most powerful and ruthless criminal organisations" inside Mexico, according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency, CNN reported. Read more about him here

“Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories),” Canada's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on its website.

Canada's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is closely monitoring the serious and rapidly evolving security situation in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, particularly in the regions of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. They advised citizens to adhere to the shelter-in-place orders in certain locations.

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a military operation against the group on Sunday morning, Mexico’s government said in a statement.

After the raid, criminal groups burned cars and trucks to block roads in different areas of Jalisco, Bloomberg reported.

Clashes were reported between gangs and the authorities, according to local outlets Reforma and Milenio, which first reported Oseguera’s killing.

Neighbours in Guadalajara, one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shared videos of armed groups shooting car tires to block intersections.

Security officials confirmed that 20 branches of state-run Banco del Bienestar were affected by the disturbances.