Mexico newest: US vacationers stranded and instructed to ‘seek shelter’ after cartel drug lord El Mencho killed by army | EUROtoday

US vacationers have been stranded and instructed to hunt shelter in a Mexican seaside city after the killing of a infamous cartel chief sparked a wave of violence throughout the nation.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel chief Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, often known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a army operation within the western state of Jalisco on Sunday, officers stated.

Video footage shared on-line reveals vehicles set ablaze in Puerto Vallarta, the place frightened vacationers described a “war zone” as plumes of darkish smoke rose into the sky from across the bay. American vacationers within the metropolis have instructed CNN that they’ve been locked of their inns awaiting steerage for when it’s protected to go outdoors.

Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines have all suspended flights within the space, whereas the US State Department has urged American residents in a number of Mexican states to stay indoors.

Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum pressured that actions in most areas of the nation have been continuing as common on Sunday.

However, colleges in numerous states throughout the nation had protectively canceled lessons for Monday, in line with native authorities.

Pictured: Soldiers on standby throughout Mexico amid fears of additional violence

Daniel Keane23 February 2026 07:54

Member of El Mencho’s cartel says violence was ‘revenge’ for his killing

A member of Oseguera’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel has instructed Reuters that the blazes and sporadic gunfire in Mexico have been carried out in revenge for his killing, and warned of additional bloodshed as teams transfer to take management of his cartel.

The assaults have been carried out in revenge for the chief’s loss of life, at first towards the federal government and out of discontent,” the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“But later the interior killings are coming, by the teams transferring in to take over.”

Daniel Keane23 February 2026 07:51

Violence erupts across Mexico after killing of cartel leader

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

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.

His corpse arrived in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon in a heavily guarded convoy of National Guard troops.

Daniel Keane23 February 2026 07:39