Cartel war in Mexico

Today (February 24, 2026) Mexico remains in a highly tense situation, mainly due to the events of recent days following the killing of the drug cartel leader “El Mencho”.

On February 22, the Mexican army (with U.S. intelligence support) carried out a major operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco state, during which Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho” – leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), one of the world’s most wanted drug lords – was killed. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest blows dealt to Mexican cartels in recent decades.

Immediately afterwards came massive retaliation

CJNG and affiliated groups unleashed widespread chaos:

• Set fire to buses, shops, banks, gas stations

• Blocked highways (narcobloqueos) – hundreds of blockades reported

• Shot at police and army

• At least 25 National Guard members killed in revenge attacks

• More than a dozen states affected (especially Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Baja California, Quintana Roo, etc.)

Consequences for tourist areas

In Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Cancún, Playa del Carmen and other popular resorts many tourists (especially Canadians and Americans) are stranded and seeking evacuation options

Hundreds of flights cancelled

Schools and universities closed

U.S. Embassy issued a “shelter in place” warning – advised not to go outside and to follow the situation

The Canadian government has also warned its citizens

Warnings issued by other countries as well. No news regarding Latvia so far.

Current status (morning of February 24)

President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a statement saying the situation is stabilizing – no new large attacks recorded, many blockades being removed, the army is in enhanced mode controlling the situation. She emphasized that “peace and security are being maintained”. However, many experts express concern that the internal power struggle within CJNG could lead to an even greater wave of violence in the coming weeks and months.

In addition, Mexico is experiencing a measles (sarampión) epidemic – more than 10,900 confirmed cases and 32 deaths across the country, which is a very serious public health problem. The outbreak is linked to interruptions in preventive vaccination after the pandemic, as well as the country’s economic situation – the current left-wing government has led the country into a deep crisis that has also affected healthcare.

Furthermore, due to these events, preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (many matches in Mexico) are now under serious question due to security concerns.

Mexico is currently experiencing one of the most dramatic moments in recent years – the consequences of a major blow to the cartel have caused chaos on the streets, but the government is trying to quickly restore control.

Tourists and locals are advised to avoid travel and follow official announcements.

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s position

Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico since October 2024, has taken a much tougher stance against drug cartels than her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador. She has abandoned the previous “abrazos, no balazos” (“hugs, not bullets”) policy that avoided direct confrontations, and instead emphasizes intelligence-based operations and precise strikes against cartels. The president has to reckon with corrupt ties between Mexican politicians and cartels. This change in approach is linked to constant pressure from the United States, especially from President Donald Trump, who has threatened direct military intervention in Mexico to combat the flow of fentanyl across the continent, including to the U.S.

Regarding the recent operation against CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”), Sheinbaum confirmed it was the work of the Mexican army with direct support and assistance from U.S. intelligence, but without direct involvement of U.S. military forces. She stresses that the situation in the country has stabilized: “Peace, security and normal life are being maintained throughout Mexico”. However, experts warn that these are still weak comforting words for society and the cartel leader’s death may trigger internal fighting within CJNG and even greater violence.

As already mentioned, Sheinbaum is also trying to strengthen control over the former president’s Morena party and sever politicians’ ties with organized crime, responding to U.S. demands.

Details about CJNG (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación)

CJNG is one of the most powerful and brutal drug cartels in Mexico, formed in 2010 as a splinter from the Milenio Cartel after the death of Sinaloa Cartel ally Ignacio Coronel. It has become the main supplier of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States, importing raw materials from China through the port of Manzanillo. Membership is estimated at 15,000–20,000 well-armed and organized criminals, controlling roughly 2/3 of Mexico’s territory using a franchise model for smaller groups.

Until February 22, 2026, the leader was “El Mencho” (Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes), a former policeman, who was killed in an army operation in Jalisco state. After his death, CJNG responded with massive violence: burning buses and other vehicles, blocking roads and shootouts in more than 20 states, killing dozens of security personnel. CJNG is known for extremely brutal tactical attacks, including police assassinations and territorial expansion beyond Mexico (Europe, Asia).

Other cartels and their role in current events

CJNG is not the only cartel. Dozens of groups have operated in Mexico for decades, competing for territories, drug routes and other illegal activities (migrant trafficking, extortion, mineral extraction). As in many places around the world, the criminal environment is closely intertwined with leading political groups and prominent politicians.

Main competitors:

• Sinaloa Cartel: the oldest and largest, founded in the 1980s, leaders – sons of “El Chapo” (Los Chapitos) and the “El Mayo” faction. Control the northwest, mainly fentanyl and cocaine to the U.S. In current events: internal split exists, but they may pool resources, taking advantage of CJNG’s weakening to expand. Compete with CJNG in Michoacán and Guanajuato.

• Gulf Cartel: fragmented into smaller factions (e.g. Metros, Escorpiones), operates in the east (Tamaulipas state). Engages in illegal migrant trafficking and drugs. In current events less involved in CJNG chaos, but uses the chaos to increase migrant flows.

• Northeast Cartel (CDN): splinter of the former “Los Zetas”, extremely violent, operates in eastern Mexico. Cooperates with Sinaloa factions in drug trade networks. In current events deliberately intensifies violence in border areas, reacting to CJNG’s weakening.

• La Familia Michoacána (LFM): founded in 2006, operates in Michoacán, divided into factions. Engages in drugs and extortion. In current events competes with CJNG for territories, has resources and potential to intensify attacks. Reacts to the current situation.

Others: remnants of “Zetas”, United Cartels (Cárteles Unidos) in Michoacán fighting against CJNG.

In current events the violence is mainly CJNG’s revenge action, but other cartels are watching, reacting and may start seizing new territories and control, leading to a “full-scale cartel civil war”.

U.S. involvement (intelligence) increases pressure on cartels, but as a result may uncontrollably escalate the situation.

Morena

Morena (Movimiento Regeneración Nacional – National Regeneration Movement) – the dominant political party in Mexico at present (2026). It positions itself as centrist, but is in fact a distinctly left-wing party, founded in 2014 as an official political party (initially as a movement in 2011).

Main facts about Morena:

• Founder and ideological leader: Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), former president (2018–2024).
  He created his party after breaking away from the left-wing PRD (Partido de la Revolución Democrática), because he believed it had become part of the corrupt system.

• Ideology and main priorities:

  • Fight against corruption (“anti-corruption agenda”)

  • Social programs supporting the poor (pensions for the elderly, scholarships for students, raising the minimum wage)

  • Energy nationalism (state control over oil and electricity, against privatization)

  • Populism with emphasis on “the poor first” (“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres”)

  • Left-oriented economic policy (against neoliberalism), but not always socially liberal (less emphasis on LGBTQ+ rights or abortion compared to other left-wing parties).

Current status (February 2026):

• The party is the largest in Mexico’s history – more than 11 million registered members.

• Controls the presidency (Claudia Sheinbaum since October 2024 – first female president of Mexico).

• Supermajority in Congress (together with allies PT and PVEM).

• Controls most governor positions (more than 20 out of 32 states) and a significant part of local authorities.

• In the 2024 elections Sheinbaum won with approximately 59–61% of the vote – more than AMLO in 2018.

• In 2025 historic judicial reforms took place (election of judges), which strengthened Morena’s influence on the judiciary.

Claudia Sheinbaum and Morena

Sheinbaum is a close ally of AMLO and continues his “Fourth Transformation” (4T) policy – expansion of social programs, poverty reduction and fight against corruption. However, she is tougher than AMLO on the following issues:

• Cooperation with the USA (especially on fentanyl and cartels, to prevent threats of military intervention).

• Cleaning within the party – arrests of local Morena functionaries linked to cartels (e.g. mayor of Tequila in Jalisco state in February 2026).

• Reducing AMLO’s remaining influence in the party (some of his close associates have stepped down or been involved in scandals).

Criticism and problems

Some justifiably consider Morena the “new PRI” (the old dominant party that ruled for 70 years), strengthening its monopoly on power, in a long-term process creating a system that hinders the democratic rise to power of others, using influence in courts and elections, and strengthening bureaucracy for which any possible changes are a potential threat to their existence.

Corruption scandals within the party (some functionaries live luxuriously despite the image of the “party of the poor”).

The security situation has in fact not improved (cartel violence continues, as seen in the CJNG events) and often, when striking at a criminal group, the name of some politician or influential figure “surfaces” behind it.

The economy is stagnating, and the party faces justified criticism for its inability to ensure security and development.

Morena has become the dominant force in Mexican politics in recent years, representing left-wing populism with entrenched positions in the political and bureaucratic environment, increasingly facing challenges related to the concentration of power, corruption and the security crisis.

Currently (2026) it is the strongest left-wing party in the so-called democratic world, but many analysts have long warned about the risks of authoritarianism faced by any party that lingers too long in power.