Violence Erupts Following Death of Drug Lord El Mencho
At least 25 members of Mexico's National Guard have died during a surge of violence in the state of Jalisco following the death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," the country's security minister reported.
Unrest has spread across at least 20 states since El Mencho died in custody on Sunday, shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces.
Mexico has deployed 2,500 soldiers to the western region to strengthen security measures, Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla announced on Monday.
El Mencho and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is among Mexico's most feared criminal organizations, with El Mencho being the country's most wanted man prior to his death.
El Mencho was apprehended on Sunday after security forces tracked a romantic partner he was meeting, according to Mexico's defence secretary.
During the operation, El Mencho sustained serious injuries in a firefight between his bodyguards and the military commandos tasked with his capture.
He died while being transported by the military from Tapalpa, a town in Jalisco state, to Mexico City.
At least six of El Mencho's security guards were killed during the operation, and three members of the Mexican military were injured, the defence ministry confirmed.
Casualties and Unrest Following the Operation
Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch stated that since El Mencho's death, a prison guard, a member of the state prosecutor's office, and 30 members of El Mencho's criminal organization have been killed amid the unrest, as reported by AFP news agency.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum commended the army's operation leading to El Mencho's death and emphasized her commitment to ensuring peace and security nationwide.
"There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces and there is a lot of co-ordination," Sheinbaum said.
Cartel Retaliation and Security Response
Following news of El Mencho's death, members of the CJNG launched attacks in multiple towns and cities where the cartel operates.
In some locations, cartel members blocked roads by scattering spikes and nails on the pavement; in others, they seized buses and other vehicles, setting them ablaze in the streets.
Sheinbaum reported that these roadblocks had been cleared by Monday morning.
However, numerous banks and local businesses suffered damage after being set on fire by cartel members.
Many towns experienced deserted streets on Sunday as local authorities instructed residents to remain indoors for safety.
International Cooperation and Operation Details
The US State Department had offered a $15 million (approximately £11.1 million) reward for information leading to El Mencho's capture.
The Mexican Ministry of Defence stated that the raid to capture El Mencho was conducted by the Mexican army, with support from the National Guard and Air Force.
It added that "complementary information" provided by the US assisted in locating the drug lord, but Mexico confirmed on Monday that no US forces were involved in his killing, according to AFP.
