Daijiworld Media Network - Mexico City

Mexico City, Feb 23: The Mexican army on Sunday announced that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, triggering a wave of retaliatory violence across several parts of the country.

Oseguera, popularly known as “El Mencho,” was the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. According to an official statement, he was wounded during a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco state and died while being flown to Mexico City. He had a $15 million bounty placed on him by US authorities.

In retaliation, armed men blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco, including areas around Tapalpa, using burning vehicles. The violence later spread to neighbouring states.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appealed for calm and said the federal government was coordinating closely with state authorities to restore order.

Oseguera is among the most powerful Mexican drug lords to be eliminated since the capture of Joaquin Guzman and Ismael Zambada, founders of the Sinaloa cartel, both of whom are serving prison terms in the United States.

The army said the raid was conducted using Mexico’s military intelligence along with “complementary information” provided by US authorities. Besides Oseguera, six suspected cartel gunmen were killed and three soldiers were wounded. Two suspects were arrested and several weapons were seized, including rocket launchers capable of targeting aircraft and armored vehicles.

Jalisco, which is set to host four World Cup matches this summer, cancelled public events and in-person classes as a precaution. In the state capital Guadalajara, streets were largely deserted as shops, pharmacies and petrol stations shut down.

The violence also extended to the neighbouring state of Michoacan and the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, areas where the cartel has a strong presence.

Formed in 2009, the cartel grew into one of Mexico’s most violent drug trafficking organisations, according to the US Justice Department. The United States has designated the group a terrorist organisation, accusing it of trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described Oseguera as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins” and welcomed the operation as a significant development for Mexico and the wider region.

The operation comes amid mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump on Mexico to curb the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States. Trump has repeatedly warned of imposing tariffs on Mexican exports, arguing that stronger action is needed against the drug trade.

Following the outbreak of violence, the US State Department advised American citizens in parts of Mexico to shelter in place. Canada also issued travel warnings for areas in Jalisco, Guerrero and Michoacan, citing ongoing security risks. US and Canadian airlines cancelled dozens of flights to Mexico in response to the unrest.