A powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed on Sunday, sparking widespread violence across Mexico. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was targeted by military forces in a gunfight. The killing has set off a chain reaction of revenge attacks from rival cartels and internal power struggles among the remaining factions.
As is often the case after a high-ranking cartel member is killed, Mexico’s streets have become increasingly violent. Tourists were stranded in resorts, classes were suspended in several states, and bank branches were torched on empty streets. The situation remains volatile, with authorities warning of further instability in the coming days.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-02-23/sheinbaum-takes-out-el-mencho-and-crosses-her-rubicon