According to the Ministry of Defense, the operation was carefully planned and carried out by special forces, utilizing aircraft from the Air Force and National Guard. As a result of the confrontation in the town of Tapalpa, four members of CJNG were killed, and three soldiers were injured. The operation was aided by data provided by the United States.
In response to the authorities' actions, CJNG began setting cars on fire, establishing roadblocks, and attacking law enforcement in eight states.
The U.S. State Department issued a warning urging citizens to stay home in the states of Jalisco and Tamaulipas, as well as in certain areas of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo called on the public to remain calm and noted that life continues as usual in most regions.
59-year-old "El Mencho," who previously worked as a police officer, controlled a major drug trafficking network responsible for supplying large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl to the U.S. A reward of $15 million (11.1 million pounds sterling) was offered for his capture.
During the operation, armored vehicles and weapons, including rocket launchers, were also seized.
Witnesses captured on video plumes of smoke rising over Guadalajara, which is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup.
In Puerto Vallarta, a popular resort city, thousands of tourists were stranded due to the unrest.
Throughout Sunday, reports emerged of armed groups spotted on the streets of Jalisco and other regions.
Governor of Jalisco Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to adhere to the state of emergency (red level) and stay home.
He also reported the suspension of public transportation in the region.
American airlines, such as United Airlines and American Airlines, as well as Air Canada, canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.
Christopher Landau, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and former deputy secretary of state, characterized El Mencho as "one of the most brutal and ruthless drug lords" on social media.
He added that the elimination of El Mencho is a "significant event for Mexico, the U.S., Latin America, and the entire world."
The death of El Mencho is an important victory for Mexican authorities in the fight against drug cartels.
This could also help strengthen relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously threatened to take action against cartels on Mexican territory.
In January of last year, Trump told Fox News that after striking at maritime drug trafficking, "the next step is strikes on land," claiming that "the cartels control Mexico."
President Sheinbaum responded that the deployment of American troops on the southern border "is not an option."
However, if the situation is not quickly brought under control, the success of the Mexican administration may be overshadowed by violent retaliatory actions from the cartel.
The Jalisco cartel is known for its attacks on law enforcement and officials, including shooting down an army helicopter with a rocket grenade, mass killings, and intimidating competitors with public executions.
CJNG is the largest cartel in Mexico.
The CJNG cartel, founded in 2010 in the state of Jalisco, now spans all of Mexico.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, CJNG is the main competitor of the Sinaloa cartel, which controls drug trafficking across the U.S.
CJNG is also a significant supplier of drugs to the U.S., earning billions from fentanyl production.
Fentanyl from Mexico to the U.S.
According to data published by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in June 2025, 9,200 pounds (4,182 kg) of fentanyl were seized in the U.S. since October 2024.
96% of these were intercepted at the southwestern border with Mexico.
Less than 1% was seized at the Canadian border, with the rest arriving by sea or through other checkpoints.
