Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:14am on 23 Feb 2026,Monday International
Jalisco state in Mexico declared a statewide "Code Red" after the Mexican military killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera in Tapalpa, triggering widespread cartel retaliation. Roadblocks paralysed Guadalajara, vehicles were set ablaze in Puerto Vallarta, flights were diverted, and public transport suspended. Unrest rapidly spread beyond Jalisco as Michoacán's governor confirmed disturbances across 13 municipalities, while additional violence erupted in Veracruz, Guanajuato, Colima, Tamaulipas, and Guerrero. The US Embassy issued an urgent shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens across multiple affected states. Hotels advised guests to remain indoors as security forces maintained visible presence while authorities prioritised citizen protection amid Mexico's worst cartel-triggered crisis in recent memory.
