Mexico was braced for more violence on Monday after the killing of drug lord Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, with the country's Defence Secretary saying the operation was supported with help from US intelligence.
The inter-agency operation against the head of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) triggered a wave of violence across the country.
Mexican Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said the operation had included international co-operation and that the "relationship with US Northern Command has been greatly strengthened". He added that a romantic partner of El Mencho's had provided information on the drug lord's whereabouts.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had said earlier that the US "provided intelligence support to the Mexican government", which resulted in the killing of El Mencho and the deaths and arrests of several other cartel figures.
The US had offered $15 million in exchange for information leading to El Mencho's arrest.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasised that no US troops were involved in the operation.
"As we've said several times here, there is a significant exchange of information," she said during a morning press conference. "Our understanding with the United States is primarily based on intelligence and information sharing."
Omar Garcia Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection, said 25 members of the National Guard were killed in the operation.
Within hours of the killing of El Mencho's killing on Sunday, gunmen suspected of being his loyalists blocked motorways across up to 20 states and set cars and businesses on fire.
Mr Garcia Harfuch added that about 70 people had been arrested as a result of the violence.
Tourists and residents were urged to stay indoors in some towns, while lorry drivers were advised to take safe routes or return to depots until the violence eased. Several airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines and Aeromexico, cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta, a beachside resort town where tourists filmed smoke rising from fires.
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Smoke rises from a burnt lorry on a motorway in Mexico's Jalisco state, after the killing of drug lord El Mencho caused widespread violence. AFP -
The burnt shells of vehicles are left scattered on a motorway in Jalisco state. AFP -
Smoke billows from a lorry set alight in the violence. Haulage companies have called on drivers to return to depots. AFP -
Vehicles and businesses have been set a light in several Mexican states, as the violence spreads. AFP -
Tourists and residents were urged to stay indoors, while lorry drivers were advised to take safe routes. AFP -
Smoke billows across Guadalajara airport. Several airlines cancelled flights in Mexico. Reuters -
Travellers gather at Guadalajara airport Gang violence has caused heavy disruption in Mexico. Reuters -
Vehicles burn in Mexico, where El Mencho was killed in a military operation. Reuters -
Members of the National Guard stand guard outside a building in Mexico City where the body of El Mencho is thought to be held. Reuters
But Ms Sheinbaum said the situation was under control. "The most important thing now is to guarantee peace and security for the entire population, all of Mexico."
The burst of violence painted a familiar scene for Mexicans who have spent two decades watching successive governments wage war on drug cartels.
CJNG is one of Mexico's most feared cartels, known for its extreme violence and propaganda campaigns. The group regularly puts out videos featuring heavily armoured cartel members and large caches of weapons.
The cartel is a major producer of fentanyl and supplier of cocaine to the US, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Since its founding in 2011, it has used its vast financial resources, franchise-based command structure, violence and corrupt officials to maintain and expand its influence over the country's illicit drug trade.
A member of the CJNG told Reuters that the blazes and sporadic gunfire were carried out in revenge for the killing of the drug lord. They warned of further bloodshed as groups move to take control of the cartel.
“The attacks were carried out in revenge for the leader’s death, at first against the government and out of discontent," the gang member said.
But "internal killings are coming, by the groups moving in to take over", they added.
Holidaymakers urged to stay indoors
Tourists in Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, filmed thick waves of smoke obscuring ocean views.
In the state of Jalisco, which includes Puerto Vallarta, authorities reported that gunmen attacked a base for the National Guard military police and recommended hotel guests remain indoors. Public transport was suspended.
Other scenes of criminal activity and the military response were captured in videos shared by government security sources. A military tank was driven through a residential neighbourhood in the central state of Aguascalientes. Roadblocks paralysed the usually busy Mexico-Puebla motorway. In the state of Colima, cartel members in pick-up trucks blocked a road.
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Smoke rises from a burnt lorry on a motorway in Mexico's Jalisco state, after the killing of drug lord El Mencho caused widespread violence. AFP -
The burnt shells of vehicles are left scattered on a motorway in Jalisco state. AFP -
Smoke billows from a lorry set alight in the violence. Haulage companies have called on drivers to return to depots. AFP -
Vehicles and businesses have been set a light in several Mexican states, as the violence spreads. AFP -
Tourists and residents were urged to stay indoors, while lorry drivers were advised to take safe routes. AFP -
Smoke billows across Guadalajara airport. Several airlines cancelled flights in Mexico. Reuters -
Travellers gather at Guadalajara airport Gang violence has caused heavy disruption in Mexico. Reuters -
Vehicles burn in Mexico, where El Mencho was killed in a military operation. Reuters -
Members of the National Guard stand guard outside a building in Mexico City where the body of El Mencho is thought to be held. Reuters
The state of Guanajuato, a National Guard stronghold, reported 55 incidents across 23 municipalities, with 18 arrests, but said by evening all incidents were under control.
Authorities have not reported any casualties beyond several cartel members and officials killed during the military operation.
Years of violence
Previous cartel arrests and killings have led to outbreaks of violence – whether by members avenging their leader or rival gangs muscling in on their territory – prompting Mexican authorities to hesitate before launching major campaigns.
In 2019, Ovidio Guzman, a son of Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, was detained briefly, setting off widespread gun battles. His arrest in 2023 led to more violence.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who previously served as ambassador to Mexico, said: “It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve.”
