Riots broke out in Mexico after the elimination of drug lord El Mencho. What is known

One of the country's most influential drug lords, the head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, has been eliminated in Mexico. After the operation of the security forces, large—scale riots began in several states - roadblocks, arson attacks and attacks on vehicles. Russian tourists are at risk, and the country's authorities recommend remaining cautious. What else happened on that day is in the Izvestia article.

Elimination of El Mencho with the participation of the Air Force and the National Guard

On February 22, the local Ministry of Defense announced the details of the operation to eliminate Cervantes. It involved aircraft of the air force and special forces of the immediate reaction of the National Guard of the country.

"During this operation, the servicemen were attacked. <...> As a result, four members of the criminal group died on the spot and three were seriously injured," the ministry said in a statement on the social network.

Cervantes was considered one of the country's most powerful drug lords after the arrest of Joaquin Guzman, known as El Chapo. The Jalisco New Generation cartel controls a significant portion of drug trafficking and operates in many regions of Mexico.

Riots and roadblocks

Immediately after the liquidation of the head of the cartel, criminal gangs began blocking roads and setting fire to cars in the states of Jalisco, Michoacan, Colima, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato and Aguascalientes.

"Jalisco state authorities have declared a code red across the state," Mexico News Daily (MND) reported.

It was clarified that public transport was suspended, businesses were closed, and residents and tourists were advised to stay in homes and hotels.

Attacks on airports and transport

At the Puerto Vallarta airport, armed men broke into the terminals. Eyewitnesses posted videos of panicked passengers seeking shelter.

Russian tourists described the situation as extremely dangerous.

"There are arson attacks everywhere: shops, cars, buses. The military drove down the street and advised everyone to take shelter in their homes. The city was deserted. There is no transport," said tourist Mikhail.

Russian tourists at risk

According to the latest data, there are at least 240 Russian tourists in the riot zone in Puerto Vallarta.

"Everyone is staying at home, no one is coming out...> We are waiting for some news," said tourist Evgeny Makeev.

Eyewitnesses call the situation critical.

Recommendations for Russian citizens

On February 23, Yakov Fedorov, head of the consular department at the Russian Embassy in Mexico City, recommended that Russians exercise caution.:

"We are closely monitoring the situation around the crime surge in individual states. We have not yet received any direct appeals from Russian citizens, and we are keeping this issue under control. We give general recommendations: avoid crowded places, exercise caution and stay away from possible attack sites," Fedorov told TASS.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.