Mexico Plunges Into Chaos After ‘El Mencho’ Cartel Leader Killed in $15M Operation (Video)
On Sunday morning, the Mexican military killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, who was the kingpin behind the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Following the tactical operation, El Mencho was known as one of Mexico’s most-wanted criminals, with a $15 million bounty on his head from the United States, as a result of his gang’s alleged involved in trafficking drugs like fentanyl across the border.
And following the crime boss’ death, chaos erupted in tourist and surfing hotspots like Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. See some of the scenes below.
The United States and & Consulates in Mexico issued the following warning on X:
“Mexico: Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the following locations should shelter in place until further notice: Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (including Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State.”
Videos circulating on social media showed smoke billowing in the popular tourist beach town of Puerto Vallarta, burning vehicles serving as roadblocks, and frantic workers and passengers running through airports. Air Canada has canceled flights.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro wrote:
“We recommend staying in your homes until the situation is under control. We are in full coordination with the federal government regarding the operation they carried out in Jalisco.”
Puerto Vallarta, although not exactly a surf town itself, more of a cruise ship stop, is in the direct vicinity of many popular waves. Spots like Punta Mita and Sayulita to the north; then, to the south, there’s a handful of other spots worth exploring. For many traveling surfers, Puerto Vallarta is the starting point of their wave-chasing journey in this slice of Mexico.
This is a developing story.