Drug cartels

The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has pushed Mexico's most powerful criminal organization into a transitional period.

This summer, Mexico will host more than a dozen matches of the 2026 World Cup across three cities. Currently, the State Department advises Americans traveling to Mexico to exercise increased caution due to terrorism, crime and kidnapping.

Despite the Mexican government clearing Mónica Zambada of any criminal involvement, a document from the U.S. Treasury Department places her as part of a network allegedly used by her father to launder money from drug trafficking.

The commander of the U.S. Southern Command, Francis Donovan, said forces are carrying out an "actual campaign" against cartels in the region, saying strikes against alleged drug vessels are "just a small part of that."

A top Pentagon official didn't rule out the possibility of using ground troops to take on cartels in Latin America.

Gen. Gregory Guillot acknowledged that troops deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border have been targeted by digital and personal attacks in recent weeks as a result of the instability following the death of El Mencho, the longtime leader of the Jalisco Cartel.

Reports say the investigation at "El Willy" began after the arrest of a member of a criminal group, which led authorities to uncover multiple clandestine graves in the area.

According to mathematician Rafael Prieto-Curiel, criminal organizations in Mexico recruit more members than they lose through arrests or deaths. He estimates that cartels across the country now have more than 180,000 members.

Following the death of El Mencho on Feb. 22, experts say Los Chapitos could lose access to key resources needed to sustain the conflict.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has moved to a military base in Washington as a result of threats from cartels and people critical of her handling of the Epstein files, according to a new report.

Colotlán was one of several municipalities across the country that experienced unrest from members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) on Feb. 22 following the death of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the longtime leader of the Jalisco cartel.

Claudia Sheinbaum suggested the United States should focus on other steps to fight drug trafficking and cartels, such as addressing Americans' addiction to drugs and stopping the flow of illegal weapons south of the border.

Mexican officials believe Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes had become largely estranged from his wife and maintained relationships with several lovers, including the woman who unwittingly led authorities to him. Officials are yet to identify her.

According to testimony from one of his former bodyguards, El Sapo is considered to be the most violent member of El Mencho's inner circle and was one of the CJNG leader's most trusted men until his death on Feb. 22.

On Feb. 22, Nemeso Oseguera Cervantes's death triggered unrest in more than a dozen states across Mexico, as cartel cells responded with blockades and violence. A week after his death, official records are shedding light on how the operation unfolded.

The arrest of El Congo marks the first new development since January, when Mexican media reported that one of Manzo's employees in the Uruapan city government played a key role in facilitating the mayor's killing.

On Feb. 26, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrests of René Arzate García, known as "La Rana," and his brother Alfonso Arzate García, known as "Aquiles."

"Without structural efforts to combat corruption," added investigative journalist Antonio Nieto, "there will be no evident change for ordinary people"

Roadblocks, killings, carjackings and arson attacks on businesses have been among the most frequent crimes carried out by cartel associates in more than 20 states since the killing of Jalisco Cartel leader El Mencho.

Those taken by the National Guard to El Altiplano were identified as Andrés "N" and Genaro "N," described as suspected members of El Mencho's security personnel. Both appeared remotely before a judge.

A handwritten version of Psalm 91 was found inside the luxury cabin where Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," was located and fatally wounded during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco.

The weight of the operation carries broader consequences, including renewed scrutiny of the security policy under President Claudia Sheinbaum and her willingness to meet the demands of President Donald Trump.

As reported by Mexican media, the escape occurred Feb. 22, the same day as the operation to capture El Mencho when armed groups stormed the prison and rammed the main gate with a vehicle.

Álvarez González and his network of shell companies flourished between 2018 and 2024, during the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. During that period, he established 45% of the companies he allegedly used to launder money for the Jalisco cartel.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that her legal team is reviewing whether to pursue action against Elon Musk after the billionaire suggested on X that she responds to "her cartel bosses."

Ballads associated with Mexico's narcoculture, popularly known as corridos, are signaling a potential leadership transition within the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) after the killing of leader "El Mencho" on Sunday.

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno publicly called on the Mexican government to request U.S. military assistance after the killing of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."

Mexico's top security official, Omar García Harfuch, confirmed El Mencho's death and said the operation triggered reprisals by the cartel in 11 states, including 85 highway blockades and 70 arrests.

Mexico's military killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the longtime leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), during an operation of the Mexican Army on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.

OFAC sanctioned a timeshare fraud network led by the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which the cartel used to make automated calls to lure potential buyers to sales presentations and later defraud them.