Mexico has been engulfed in violence since the death of Mexico’s top drug lord. Members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, who were enraged by the death of Nemesio Cervantes (also known as El Mencho), launched coordinated attacks across at least twenty states after security forces killed him.
El Mencho was the leader of one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal organizations. After a gunfight, authorities say that special forces were able to capture him after an intense battle with his bodyguards in Tapalpa.
Public Panic, Blockades and Fires
After hearing of his passing, members of the cartel began to block highways and set vehicles on fire. To stop traffic, the cartels scattered spikes and nail across several roads in towns. They also hijacked cars and buses, which they then set alight in streets.
The attackers also set fire to local businesses, including pharmacies and banks. The thick smoke rose over cities, including Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Travelers at the Guadalajara airport took cover when they heard reports of gunfire.Fear spread fast, but many sought refuge.
Puerto Vallarta Tourists Stuck in the Country
Officials in Puerto Vallarta told tourists that they should stay indoors. Later, the police escorted these travelers in a convoy into the center of town to ensure their security.
UK Foreign Office has urged all visitors to follow the official instructions and exercise extreme caution. US State Department advised Americans to stay put in several states including Jalisco, Baja California and other.
Sara Morales was on vacation with her family when officials told them to leave Las Glorias Beach.
The Government’s Response and Security measures
Jalisco’s Governor declared code red. The authorities suspended the public transportation and cancelled public events as well as in-person classes. This is where cartels are strongest.
The police arrested 25 individuals in relation to the unrest. Authorities accused 11 people of participating in violent acts, and 14 others of looting.
Claudia Sheinbaum, President of the United States, urged Americans to remain calm and educated. She also praised the military’s actions in the fight against El Mencho. She said that the majority of regions in the country are still carrying on with their normal activities.
Cartel clashes in the past: Echoes
The son of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman (former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel), he is a violent criminal. Intense fighting at the time forced the government release him in order to avoid further bloodshed. In 2023, authorities re-arrested him and then extradited to the United States.
Recently, cartels often retaliated violently and quickly to arrests of high-profile individuals. El Mencho’s death and the events that followed show just how fast organized crime can destabilize large areas of the country.
