vehicles burned, flights and classes suspended

The Secretariat of National Defense of Mexico confirmed this Sunday that Rubén Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes —‘el Mencho’—, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed along with seven other members of that criminal organization, in an operation that had the help of the United States.

Additionally, during the operation in the town of Tapalpa (Jalisco) three soldiers were also injured and were transferred to hospitals for specialized care, the authority said.

“In addition to the central military intelligence work, within the framework of coordination and bilateral cooperation with the United States of Americathere was complementary information from the authorities of that country,” the Mexican authorities indicated in a statement.

This operation has led to various armed clashes throughout the region, where a wide security deployment is maintained, which keeps the state of Jalisco mired in a gray cloud of ash.

After learning of his death, there were several road blocks —currently there are 21 cuts— and burning of vehicles and businesses in Jalisco and other states of the country such as Michoacán (west), Guerrero (center), Tamaulipas (north) and Baja California (northwest).

Likewise, “some 20 branches of Banco Bienestar in Jalisco reported damage resulting from violent events,” as reported by the Mexican Security Cabinet in X.

The chaos established has forced the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Mexico to take to the streets to try to identify those who are causing the altercations and ensure that the situation does not escalate.

A bus used as a checkpoint by organized crime set on fire in protest after the murder of ‘el Mencho’.

Reuters.

Given the magnitude of the events, the Governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus ordered the immediate installation of the security tablemade up of representatives of the three levels of government, as well as activated the red code as a measure to reinforce surveillance and prevent new violent acts directed against the civilian population.

At the moment, he reports that “the Public transportation service in the state will be suspended until the situation is controlled” and recommends that citizens not travel on roads and avoid leaving their homes since “the violent events have spread to five states.”

Likewise, it has face-to-face classes canceled in the state and has ordered the cancellation of massive events such as soccer games this Sunday.

The governor has stressed that the security operation remains coordinated and that the main objective is restore normality in the affected areas.

In his message to citizens, Lemus has asked the population to stay informed through official channels and avoid traveling through areas where blockades remain in place.

“We ask Jalisco residents to follow the recommendations of the authorities and not expose themselves to risk situations,” said the state president. So far, no arrests or victims have been reported related to the clashes and blockades.

After the wave of violence unleashed in the state of Jalisco, he Pacific Airport Group (GAP) canceled this sunday all international and most domestic operations in it Puerto Vallarta airport.

In a statement, the GAP specified that the violent events recorded in several areas of Jalisco did not impact internal operations nor the security within the air terminal, which is under the protection of elements of the National Guard and the Secretariat of National Defense.

However, the suspension of flights was due to a decision by the airlines, the note stated.

“By decision of the airlinestoday, Sunday, February 22, 2026, all international operations and most national operations are canceled,” he noted.

However, heto president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaumcalled this Sunday to the population to stay “calm”after the despondency of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which led to various road blockades and other violent reactions.

In a message on social networks, the president affirmed that there is “absolute coordination with governments of all states” and assured that, despite the blockades and violent demonstrations, in the “most part of the national territory” activities are carried out with “complete normality.”

“We must stay informed and calm,” Sheinbaum stressed.

Neighbor response

The United States embassy in Mexico this Sunday issued a alert so that its citizens do not go out into the streets in Jalisco (west), as well as in five other states of the country, due to the wave of violence unleashed after the death in a federal operation of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho.

“Due to ongoing security operations in multiple states and related blockades and criminal activity, US citizens should stay home in the aforementioned locations until further notice,” the US embassy said in a message on social media.

The designated areas are the states of Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas (north), as well as areas of Michoacán (center), Guerrero (south) and Nuevo León (north).

For his part, the Canadian government He stated this Sunday that he was “deeply alarmed” due to armed clashes between security forces and criminal groups in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

In a statement published on its social networks, the Foreign Minister of CanadaAnita Anand, also stated that Ottawa is closely following “the serious and rapid evolution of the security situation in the state of Jalisco.”

“We are deeply alarmed by reports of violence following a major security operation, including armed clashes, roadblocks and vehicle burning in multiple areas. We are aware that local authorities have issued stay-at-home orders in some places and the situation remains fluid,” Anand added.

The Foreign Minister’s statement comes after the canadian authorities will ask their citizens this Sunday to avoid going out to the streets of Puerto Vallarta and other areas of the Mexican state of Jalisco due to violence between drug cartels and Mexican security forces and road blockades.

In a warning issued by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they are advised to remain in their residences and keep a “low profile”.

“Criminal groups have set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in several cities in the state of Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta. There have been shootouts with security forces and explosions. An order to remain in residences is in force in Puerto Vallarta. All taxi and passenger transportation services are suspended until further notice,” the Canadian Government explained.

The situation forced Air Canada, the main Canadian airline, as well as other airlines in the country, to suspend your flights to Puerto Vallarta.

“Due to the security situation in Puerto Vallarta, which affects the airport, Air Canada has temporarily suspended operations today. “We are monitoring the situation and in contact with local authorities who are working to resolve the issue,” Air Canada said in a statement.

The airline advised its customers “not to attempt to go to the airport unless their flights” are operational.