Bloody Sunday: mass riots began in Mexico

Mexico has been gripped by a new wave of violence, with mass riots breaking out in a number of cities after reports of the elimination of one of the country's most wanted drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho. For many years, his name has remained a symbol of the power and brutality of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, or CJNG, which has become one of the most influential criminal structures in Latin America. The operation against the alleged leader of the group became a national event and provoked a chain reaction, from clashes in the streets to increased security measures in several regions. What exactly happened, how events are developing now and what role the "New Generation of Jalisco" played in the cartel war in Mexico — in the Izvestia article.

Elimination of El Mencho: how was the operation

The leader of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel (CJNG) Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, was killed during a military operation in the state of Jalisco in west-central Mexico. His liquidation was reported on February 22 by Reuters and the Los Angeles Times, and later the information was officially confirmed by the country's Ministry of Defense.

According to the country's Defense Ministry, the operation took place in the early hours of Sunday morning in the city of Tapalpa. During the collision, Oseguera was seriously injured. They tried to evacuate him and several of his colleagues by helicopter to Mexico City for medical treatment, but he died on the way. The exchange of fire between security forces and CJNG militants lasted for several hours: four cartel members were killed on the spot, three Mexican soldiers were injured and hospitalized in the capital.

The operation was carried out with the assistance of the American special services. This was stated by White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. USA

"The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government as part of the operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, during which Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious drug lord and leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, was eliminated. <...> El Mencho was one of the main targets for the Mexican and American governments as one of the main smugglers of fentanyl into the United States," she wrote on the social network.

El Mencho is a former policeman who has become the shadowy leader of a major criminal organization in Latin America. The Jalisco New Generation cartel, named after the western state where Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city, is located, has transformed into a transnational structure with influence far beyond the country's borders in a relatively short time. After withdrawing from the alliance with the Sinaloa cartel, the group entered into a fierce confrontation with its former allies. It is worth noting that the former head of Sinaloa, Joaquina "El Chapo" Guzman, was arrested by Mexican intelligence services in January 2016 and extradited to the United States, where he is currently serving a life sentence.

Under Oseger, the CJNG significantly strengthened its paramilitary component. Experts noted not only the unprecedentedly high level of professional training of militants for such organizations, but also their technical equipment. The cartel was one of the first to use armored vehicles, anti-personnel mines and drones. It was the Jalisco militants who were blamed by the authorities for the attack on a military helicopter in 2015: then the aircraft involved in the operation to detain Oseguera was shot down, killing nine law enforcement officers.

According to experts, the operation against El Mencho was the culmination of years of persecution and took place against the background of increasing international pressure. Earlier, the administration of US President Donald Trump called on the Mexican authorities to actively counter drug cartels, which strengthened security coordination between the countries.

At the same time, however, there have been repeated reports of links between Mexican cartels and American intelligence agencies. On April 9, 2024, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reported that the FBI had organized the training of militants from Mexico and Colombia in U.S. prisons to send them to Ukraine. Subsequently, their bodies were found among the dead mercenaries who fought in the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Cartel's response: a strategy of controlled chaos

Against the background of reports of the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), the group, according to experts, apparently switched to the tactics of "through a thousand cuts." This is not an attempt to seize specific facilities or territories, but a series of scattered but synchronized attacks aimed at spreading panic and demonstrating the cartel's ability to destabilize the situation nationwide.

According to another version, in revenge for the death of its leader, the CJNG is acting according to a plan long developed for such a situation — to destroy or block communications around Mexico City and Guadalajara in order to "de-energize" the largest cities and thereby force the authorities to retreat.

Arson attacks at gas stations, explosions and highway blockades, attacks on National Guard and police units have been recorded in different regions. Murders of truck drivers and tanker trucks are reported, which paralyzes logistics and increases the effect of chaos. The northwestern and central states of Mexico have been engulfed by a wave of violence, which is developing in pockets and complicating the rapid response of security forces.

According to the newspaper El Universal, arson and roadblocks were recorded in at least eight states. Locals speak of coordinated actions by alleged cartel members seeking to paralyze transportation and spread fear.

A number of regions have introduced a "code red" regime: authorities recommend that people stay at home and avoid movement unless absolutely necessary.

A separate tension arose at the Guadalajara International Airport. Local media reported panic in the terminals amid rumors of possible attacks. Journalist Jorge Garcia Orozco claims that the air harbor was allegedly seized by representatives of the cartel, but there was no official confirmation of this information. Martin Zasueta, CEO of the airport, said in a comment to Informador that flights are operated on schedule, the facility is under the control of the National Guard, and the excitement is due to the general nervousness of passengers. Meanwhile, by Sunday evening, footage of Mexican Air Force helicopters patrolling the skies above the airport began to spread on social media.

According to experts, such tactics as "splayed—finger strikes" in different parts of cities and on key transport arteries make it extremely difficult to quickly quell riots. Against this background, rumors have surfaced about a possible expansion of international support for Mexico City, including discussions about the participation of American forces in an advisory or auxiliary format. However, with the current nature of attacks, where the emphasis is on multiple small strikes instead of a single frontal collision, even increased external assistance may not lead to immediate stabilization.

Amid the escalating violence, the US authorities have advised their citizens in Mexico to take refuge in safe places. The warnings apply not only to Jalisco, but also to certain areas of the states of Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon. The situation in a number of cities remains unstable.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum posted an appeal to citizens on the social network X.

"The National Defense Secretariat reported on the operation carried out this morning by federal forces, which led to various blockades and other reactions. There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm. <...> Activity continues quite normally in the vast majority of the national territory," she wrote.

From schism to expansion: How the Jalisco New Generation cartel came into being

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is one of the youngest and at the same time the fastest growing criminal structures in Mexico. Its formation dates back to the early 2010s, when another round of redistribution of influence took place within the country's drug cartel system.

The origins of the group are connected with the collapse of the Milenio cartel, which operated in the state of Jalisco and on the Pacific coast. After the arrest of its leaders, some of the militants entered into an alliance with the powerful Sinaloa cartel, but soon a conflict broke out within the association. Against this background, a new structure was formed — the "New Generation of Jalisco", headed by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho.

Initially, the CJNG positioned itself as a "self-defense unit", opposing rival groups, primarily the Los Setas cartel. However, in the early years of its existence, the organization demonstrated aggressive expansion and a desire for independent play. Based in the state of Jalisco, of which Guadalajara is the capital, the cartel gradually took control of key drug trafficking routes through Pacific ports and western regions of the country.

Unlike the older cartels, the CJNG relied on high mobility and demonstrative militarization. The group actively recruited former military and police officers, used heavy weapons, armored vehicles and drones.

The CJNG's economic model was also flexible. In addition to cocaine and methamphetamine, the cartel has actively engaged in the production of synthetic drugs aimed at the US market. Over time, the supply chain expanded to North and South America, Europe and Asia, and the organization itself turned into a multinational structure.

By the mid-2010s, the Jalisco New Generation had become Sinaloa's main rival for control of key routes and territories. The growth of influence was accompanied by an upsurge in violence: mass executions, demonstrative reprisals, and attacks on security forces became part of a strategy of intimidation.

The future of the Jalisco New Generation: who will lead the cartel after El Mencho

The most likely candidate for the role of the new head is Oseguera's stepson, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Valencia, known in criminal circles as "El 03".

In recent years, El 03 has been considered the operational head of the structure and the de facto deputy of El Mencho. According to experts, it was he who coordinated some of the key areas of activity and embodied the so—called "new generation" within the cartel - more mobile, technological and focused on expanding influence beyond the traditional zones of presence.

However, the formal assignment is only part of the question. The internal stability of CJNG has always been based on personal authority and strict control by El Mencho. Whether El 03 will be able to retain the loyalty of other capos and field commanders accustomed to the charismatic and unconditional leadership of the former boss is the main factor on which the future of one of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations depends.