Shell casings are seen on a street in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Str/Xinhua)

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Mexican military forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during an operation on Sunday in the western state of Jalisco, according to local media reports.

The operation took place in the municipality of Tapalpa and was confirmed by senior military officials. Mexican media described it as a major blow to one of the country's most violent and powerful criminal organizations.

Since early Sunday, a heavy deployment of federal security forces has been reported across the region. Road blockades and vehicle burnings were recorded in Jalisco and neighboring states. Similar incidents involving torched vehicles and highway blockades were also reported in Tamaulipas and Oaxaca, causing disruption among residents.

The attacks are believed to have been orchestrated by cartel members in retaliation for the military operation.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro activated a statewide red alert and ordered the immediate establishment of a security coordination task force comprising federal, state and municipal authorities.

The primary objective, the governor said, is to protect civilians and restore order in affected areas. In a public message, Lemus urged residents to follow official information channels and avoid traveling through areas where blockades remain in place.

Oseguera Cervantes, originally from the state of Michoacan, reportedly began working as an avocado picker before entering drug trafficking. He had long been one of Mexico's most wanted fugitives, with the United States offering a reward of up to 15 million U.S. dollars for information leading to his capture. ■

A policeman guards near a burnt car on a street in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Diana Marquez/Xinhua)

A burnt car is seen outside a supermarket in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Diana Marquez/Xinhua)

A burnt car is seen outside a supermarket in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Diana Marquez/Xinhua)

People stand near a burnt car on a street in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Diana Marquez/Xinhua)

A burnt car is seen on a street in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Diana Marquez/Xinhua)

A burnt car is seen on a street in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Str/Xinhua)