Mexico on alert after the death of El Mencho: roadblocks, reprisals, and fear of escalating violence

Roadblocks, vehicle fires, and coordinated attacks in several locations in Jalisco and other neighboring states shook Mexico hours after authorities confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera CervantesThe leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known as El Mencho, was killed by the Mexican army in a coordinated operation with police forces and U.S. air support, according to security sources. The incidents, attributed to reprisals by the criminal group, have forced the deployment of federal reinforcements and spread a climate of fear among the Mexican population. During Sunday afternoon and evening, roadblocks with burning vehicles were reported, mainly in the state of Jalisco, but also in areas of Michoacán and Guanajuato. In some municipalities, businesses and schools were closed as a precaution, causing intermittent traffic disruptions.

State authorities have confirmed that these acts are the result of coordinated actions by CJNG cells, aimed at hindering police deployment and demonstrating operational capacity following the death of their leader. At the moment, no definitive figures for civilian casualties have been released, but significant material damage and isolated clashes with security forces have been reported. Therefore, the federal government has announced a reinforcement of the military and police presence in the affected areas to prevent the unrest from spreading and to contain potential internal power struggles within the cartel. However, security sources admit that the situation is volatile and that the coming hours are crucial for gauging the true extent of the reprisals. The death of El Mencho represents the hardest blow to the CJNG since the creation of this cartel, which sustains a criminal network on which tens of thousands of people depend directly and indirectly. However, security experts warn that the disappearance of a crime boss does not necessarily imply an immediate reduction in violence. On the contrary, they recall that similar episodes in the past have led to internal fragmentation and a struggle for territorial control, with a corresponding increase in homicides and attacks.