Mexico Violence Highlights: Several airlines suspend flights in Mexico amid increasing violence

Updates to this blog has stopped. Keep an eye on LiveMint for more updates.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she is in contact with her Mexican counterpart, who tells her that the situation should normalize in the coming days.

General Ricardo Trevilla, Mexico’s Secretary of National Defense, stated that 2,500 additional troops were deployed to strengthen the military’s presence in response to the recent unrest across the country.

According to CBC News, Mike Vigil, former head of international operations at the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), stated that although Washington provided some information related to Mexico’s operation, the United States should not claim credit. He said, “The Trump administration is trying to take credit for this operation, but it was entirely carried out by Mexico, and they deserve full recognition.”

25 members of the National Guard died in attacks in Jalisco, confirms Mexico's Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch.

One of Mexico's most notorious drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera, or "El Mencho," was killed in a military raid on Sunday, sparking widespread retaliatory violence, Reuters reported.

Reports suggest that a cartel succession battle is likely since El Mencho's son is imprisoned in the United States, which leaves only his brother and stepson in key positions, both of whom lack strong influence among other cartel commanders, CNN reported.

American Airlines, Aeromexico, Air Canada, and United Airlines have all suspended their flights in the area, with the US State Department urging citizens in several states to remain indoors.

According to a report in the Independent, US tourists, who have been stranded in the country, were told to take shelter in place in Mexico following El Mencho's death, which sparked a wave of violence across the country.

In several Mexican states, schools were cancelled after the army killed El Mencho, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Further, local and foreign government officials have warned their citizens to stay inside as violence erupts further. On Feb 22, Guadalajara witnessed an almost complete shutdown.

El Mencho's death served as a major blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which was responsible for drug trafficking and attacks across Mexico. Behind the operation is a man called Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico's Secretary of Security. It is being reported that six years ago, El Mencho's cartel tried to assassinate him; however, he continues to be at the forefront of the country's fight against organized crime. Harfuch's journey has earned him the nickname "Mexico's Batman."

Reports suggest that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured the citizens that the United States did not take part in the operation that killed El Mencho.

In a press conference, she said, “There is no participation of United States special forces, what there is is a lot of exchange of information. The understanding with the United States is based on the exchange of intelligence information, but the entire operation, from its planning, is the responsibility of the Federal Forces, in this case, of the Secretariat of National Defense.”

It remains uncertain who might take over from Oseguera Cervantes — or whether a single individual could effectively fill his role.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jalisco cartel operates in at least 21 of Mexico’s 32 states and has a presence across much of the United States. It also functions as a global network, meaning the impact of losing its leader could extend far beyond Mexico’s borders, AP reported.

Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” was 59 years old and originally from the western state of Michoacan. His ties to organized crime went back at least three decades, AP reported.

In 1994, he was tried for trafficking heroin in the U.S. and sent to prison for three years. Upon returning to Mexico, he quickly rose through Mexico's drug trafficking underworld. (AP)

As parts of Mexico continue to burn, several countries – from India to the US to Chile, Canada and Australia – have issued travel advisories and helpline numbers for their citizens.

Head of Government of Mexico City Clara Brugada Molina posted on X that the government is in permanent session, monitoring the events in coordination with the Federal Government.”

Mexico was on high alert Monday with schools closed and travelers stranded, as members of a powerful drug cartel went on a violent rampage across parts of the country after the army announced it had killed its leader, AFP reported.

Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said on Sunday. (AFP)

A video posted on social media showed alleged members of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) take over a gas station in Guadalajara and set it on fire following the killing of the gang’s leader El Mencho.

The violence following the killing of drug lord El Mencho has cast doubts on the upcoming FIFA World Cup, of which 13 are to be held in Mexico. Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are the host cities of the FIFA World Cup matches. Guadalajara, where El Mencho was shot dead on Sunday, will play host to four matches. But the ongoing violence there has concerned many.

“We have less than 4 months to the commencement of the FIFA world cup and there are chaos in Mexico already? Can FIFA assure football fans that are going to the US and Mexico that they're safe?,” a social media user asked.

Four football games in Mexico were postponed after violence flared near Guadalajara, one of the country’s host cities for the 2026 World Cup, in the wake of a military operation on Sunday that left cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho", dead.

Oseguera, 60, mastermind of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), died in custody after being injured in a special forces operation on Mexico's Pacific coast in Jalisco state, according to the defense ministry.

Schools were cancelled in several Mexican states and local and foreign governments alike warned their citizens to stay inside, as widespread violence erupted following the army's killing of the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Associated Press reported.

Amid the chaos on Mexico, a social media user, who was in a the country at the time, took to X to share his experience.

He posted on X. “10 hours ago I was in Guadalajara on way to Puerto Vallarta when chaos broke out in the airport and had to hide in a bathroom. Vercel leadership got together and didn’t stop until my wife and I were safe. Internet barely worked so they booked every US bound flight on our behalf, chancing that one would take off. Eventually one did. We just landed in Dallas.”

“The US flight was Plan A but they were ready to act on a Plan B and Plan C if they had to. We are beyond grateful 🖤” the post read.

RT News shared a video purportedly showing the cartel-army shootouts through the night.

Senator Jerry Moran says US citizens in many cities in Mexico are being directed by the State Department to shelter in place due to cartel violence.

“If you’re a Kansan in Mexico in need of assistance, please reach out to my office by calling 202-224-6521 or emailing casework@moran.senate.gov,” the senator said.

The State Department also offers the Smart Travel Enrollment Program – a free service that allows US. citizens to enroll their trip abroad so the department can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.

Vehicles burn in several Mexican cities following the killing of drug lord 'El Mencho' in a military raid.

The Mexican army announced that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera in an operation that sparked a wave of violence in various parts of the country on February 22, 2026.

Gunmen retaliating for the raid blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state, which includes Tapalpa, with burning cars and trucks. The violence spread to other states as well.

The list of location where people have been alerted and advised to stay in shelters are: Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Baja California State (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada), Quintana Roo State (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), and areas of Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas States.