The security situation in Mexico escalated sharply following the assassination of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), on 22 February in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The operation, carried out with US intelligence support, marks a major shift in organised crime dynamics and has triggered nationwide instability.
Escalation
- 22 February 2026: Mexican security forces killed CJNG leader El Mencho during an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
- Immediately following his death, the CJNG staged at least 252 roadblocks across Jalisco and other states, including Aguascalientes, Baja California, Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas. Vehicles were set alight and armed curfews enforced in multiple municipalities.
- Transport disruption: Public transport, taxi services and intercity coaches were suspended across affected regions. Major airports, including Guadalajara (GDL/MMGL), Puerto Vallarta (PVR/MMPR), Reynosa (REX/MMRX), León/Bajio (BJX/MMLO), Tepic (TPQ/MMEP) and Manzanillo (ZLO/MMZO), reported flight cancellations, while the Port of Manzanillo was temporarily closed.
Our Response: Real-time Monitoring
- Rapid alerts: 31 updates issued within 24 hours to track CJNG activity.
- Transport risk analysis: Roads, airports, ports and public transit monitored in real time.
- Verified intelligence: Cross-checked reports from local authorities, media and eyewitness accounts to assess threat levels.
Impact on travel
Travellers are advised to reconsider travel to affected states due to unpredictable armed violence. Schools, hotels and businesses have closed in high-risk areas. Foreign nationals may be targeted in retaliation for US involvement in El Mencho’s death. Daytime gunfights, roadblocks and arson attacks are ongoing.
What to expect
- Continued violence: CJNG will face internal clashes for leadership; alliances with other cartels are uncertain. Criminals will commit high profile acts of violence to deter rivals and secure opportunities for extorting businesses and institutions.
- Disrupted transport: Flights, intercity coaches and public transport are likely to remain interrupted in high-risk areas. Cartel gunmen frequently engage in carjackings to enforce roadblocks.
- Heightened security measures: Checkpoints, curfews and military presence will persist across affected regions. Over two dozen Mexican soldiers were killed in the first day of clashes.
Travel guidance
- Maintain a low profile and avoid travel after dark.
- In the event of clashes, immediately seek shelter.
- Refrain from entering isolated areas unlikely to be visited by tourists and follow official directives.
- If you are a victim of a robbery or carjacking, do not resist; perpetrators are likely to be armed.
- Register with your embassy and consider security support when moving along high-risk routes.
Our commitment to excellence
“The CJNG retaliation highlights the volatility of transnational organised crime in Mexico. Our team remains committed to providing timely, verified intelligence to support safe operations in a rapidly evolving environment.”
Eeva Ruuska, Americas Operations Manager
“Our analysts prioritised identifying which modes of transport were most likely to be disrupted by the clashes and which institutions and infrastructure were being targeted to impede travel and essential services.”
Paul Mutter, Global Coverage Manager