On February 22, 2026, a significant operation took place in Mexico with the assistance of US intelligence, particularly vital information provided by the CIA. Mexican authorities acted on this new intelligence and located El Mencho,the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, through tips from an associate of one of his partners. The Mexican special forces, together with the National Guard and military aircraft, surrounded a location in Tapalpa, Jalisco, where El Mencho was hiding. As the troops moved in, cartel gunmen opened fire, resulting in an intense shootout. El Mencho and his associates attempted to escape to a nearby cabin complex, where a second fierce battle unfolded. Tragically, during the firefight, El Mencho was severely injured and ultimately died while being transported to a hospital in Mexico City.
As news broke of El Mencho’s death, President Claudia Sheinbaum assured the public that “peace, security, and normalcy” were being upheld in the country, despite reports of clashes between suspected gang members and security forces that left dozens dead. Since February 22, 2026, at least 20 Mexican stores have been burned down, supermarkets and OXXO stores. They proceeded to burn a Costco in Puerto Vallarta , 20 branches of Bando del Bienestar in Jalisco, gas stations, and other local cities from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta. The cartel also hijacked hundreds of vehicles (cars, buses, and semi-truck). The arson attacks and roadblocks were heaviest in the state of Jalisco, the base of the CJNG, but were also reported in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Colima, Nayarit, Veracruz, and Baja California. The cartel has always been present in the shadows, either within the legal system or on the streets, blindsiding the citizens.
