Burning cars, bullet holes. See photos from Mexico after 'El Mencho' killed
Burning cars, bullet holes. See photos from Mexico after 'El Mencho' killed
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAYMon, February 23, 2026 at 8:45 PM UTC
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Empty streets, burning busses and bullet holes are among the scenes coming out of Mexico after the killing of a notorious drug cartel leader.
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as "El Mencho," was killed during a Mexican military operation on Sunday, Feb. 22. Oseguera, who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an international criminal enterprise also referred to by its Spanish initials, CJNG, was seriously injured in the shootout and died during air transfer to Mexico City, Mexico's Ministry of National Defense announced. Six other cartel members were killed and two were arrested.
The operation set off a wave of civil unrest, with vehicles set ablaze, shops ransacked and gunmen believed to be supporters of Oseguera blocking highways in more than a dozen states.
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Exclusive: USA TODAY correspondent describes scene from Mexico
On Feb. 22, the U.S. State Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory for Americans in Mexico, urging them to seek shelter and minimize unnecessary travel. Some reported being left stranded as flights, roadways and travel plans were closed and canceled.
See scenes from the ground as updates continue to unfold.
See scenes from Mexico after killing of cartel boss 'El Mencho'
1 / 0Photos show Mexico unrest after cartel leader 'El Mencho' killed
After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026.
National Guard personnel arrive at the interior area of Guadalajara International Airport in Tlajomulco, Jalisco State, Mexico, February 22, 2026. Mexico confirmed on February 22 that soldiers killed a powerful drug cartel leader. Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement.
A bus set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, burns at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on February 22, 2026. Armed civilians blocked several roads in the state of Jalisco, in western Mexico, following an operation by federal forces in the town of Tapalpa, local authorities reported.
This aerial view shows burned cars and trucks, allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on February 22, 2026.
Passengers leave Guadalajara International Airport in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco State, Mexico, on February 22, 2026. Mexico confirmed on February 22 that soldiers killed a powerful drug cartel leader who was one of the most wanted men here and in the United States.
A satellite image shows burning cars in a Costco parking lot in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, February 22, 2026, following the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho,' in a military operation.
People line up to find out about their flight status due to cancellations a day after a series of blockades and attacks by organized crime following a military operation in which cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," was killed, at Guadalajara International Airport, in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Mexico, February 23, 2026.
Police officers patrol the perimeter of Palacio Nacional, where President Claudia Sheinbaum held her daily morning press conference about the wave of violence in Mexico, following the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho,' in a military operation on Sunday, in Mexico City, Mexico, February 23, 2026. REUTERS/Raquel Cunha
Smoke billows amid a wave of violence, with torched vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, February 22, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video.
This aerial view shows a burned bus and car, allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on February 22, 2026. The Mexican army announced that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera in an operation that sparked a wave of violence in various parts of the country.
A member of the Gereal Attorney's Office stands guard near a bus set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on February 22, 2026.
A view of a burning truck, allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on February 22, 2026.Gunmen retaliating for the raid blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state, which includes Tapalpa, with burning cars and trucks.
Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photos show damage, unrest in Jalisco, Mexico after 'El Mencho' killed
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