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25 Mexican National Guard troops left dead during an operation that killed cartel leader ‘El Mencho’
Mexican forces killed CJNG leader El Mencho, triggering cartel attacks that killed 25 National Guard members and resulted in at least 73 deaths, officials said.
- On Sunday, Mexican army and federal security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", during an operation in Jalisco, sparking violent reprisals nationwide.
- Facing U.S. pressure, Mexico sought to demonstrate progress against cartels as Mexican armed forces acted with United States intelligence cooperation and targeted El Mencho, indicted with a $15 million reward.
- Mexico's Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said the Mexican army, National Guard, air force and special forces seized rocket launchers after intelligence tracing a romantic partner led to a firefight that killed six cartel members and injured three Mexican troops.
- People in Guadalajara locked their doors and schools were canceled Monday in several states, while cartel followers set fires and blocked roads in 20 Mexican states as the Mexican government and security forces work to regain control.
- Analysts say the killing could spark a CJNG succession struggle and turf wars, as the cartel operates in at least 21 Mexican states, raising regional risks and opportunities for Mexican and U.S. governments.
168 Articles
168 Articles
25 Mexican National Guard troops killed in cartel revenge attacks after leader’s death
25 Mexican National Guard troops killed in cartel revenge attacks after leader’s death | 23 Feb 2026 | Cartel violence that erupted across Mexico left 25 Mexican National Guard troops and more than two dozen criminal suspects among the dead following the killing of Jalisco New Generation cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, officials said Monday. Mexico Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said the troops in Jalisco were killed in six sep…
Mexico: President tries to calm fears after troops and cartel clash
Trepidation hung over Mexico on Monday as relative calm seemed to be holding after 24 hours of violence. Following the killing of their leader, known as ‘El Mencho’, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel unleashed a wave of destruction across the country. Roads were blocked with burning cars and 25 national guard troops were killed in gun battles months before Mexico is due to co-host the football World Cup.
Cartel Retaliation Leaves 25 National Guard Troops Dead After Killing Of El Mencho
The killing of one of Mexico’s most powerful cartel leaders set off a wave of coordinated violence that left at least 25 members of the Mexican National Guard dead and plunged several western states into days of unrest. Mexican authorities confirmed that Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho, was killed during a military operation in the mountainous municipality of Tapalpa in Jalisco state. Oseguera Cervantes led the Jalisc…
Loss of 25 National Guard troops 'will be devastating for Mexico'
FRANCE 24's Mexico City correspondent Ioan Grillo says that the loss of 25 National Guard troops will be devastating for Mexico. News of the death of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, triggered spasms of violence, with cartel members blocking roads in 20 states and torching vehicles and businesses. At least 25 National Guard members were killed in subsequent clashes.
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