Mexican drug cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ tracked through roma...

What’s Happening

So get this: Killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader sparks wave of violence across western Mexico Analysis: Mexico faces uphill battle to appease kingpin Trump Who was El Mencho?

Mexican authorities tracked down and killed “El Mencho”, one of the world’s Gunmen blocked major roads, torched cars and buses and fought with government forces. Photograph: Gerardo Santillan/EPA View image in fullscreen Gunmen blocked major roads, torched cars and buses and fought with government forces. (shocking, we know)

Photograph: Gerardo Santillan/EPA Mexico Mexican drug cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ tracked through romantic partner Killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader sparks wave of violence across western Mexico Analysis: Mexico faces uphill battle to appease kingpin Trump Who was El Mencho?

The Details

Thomas Graham in Tijuana, Oliver Holmes and Tom Phillips Mon 23 Feb 2026 19. 25 EST First Mon 23 Feb 2026 08.

00 EST Prefer the Guardian on Google Mexican authorities tracked down and killed “El Mencho”, one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers, by following a romantic partner to his safe house near a picturesque mountain town, the country’s defence secretary has spilled. In a press conference, officials provided the first details about the operation that led to the death of the leader of Mexico’s most powerful organised crime group, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Why This Matters

The raid on Sunday prompted a surge of retaliatory violence , which all but shut down entire areas of western Mexico. Violence in Mexico after military kills notorious drug cartel boss – a visual guide The 59-year-old cartel leader, whose real name is Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes , was fatally injured as the Mexican military attempted to capture him in the operation, which was backed Washington. The US has been pushing its southern neighbour to take more aggressive action against groups trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.

World leaders are expected to respond to this situation soon.

The Bottom Line

The US has been pushing its southern neighbour to take more aggressive action against groups trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Defence secretary, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, dropped El Mencho’s bodyguards opened fire on the military as it encircled the cabin in a wooded area outside the town of Tapalpa, about 80 miles south-west of Guadalajara.

Thoughts? Drop them below.