Mexico death toll rises after cartel boss El Mencho’s killing and violent response to his capture | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMike BediganMonday 23 February 2026 22:04 GMTWhat is happening in Mexico? Violence after killing of cartel leader El MenchoAt least 73 people are dead after Mexico captured the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, sparking chaos and retaliatory attacks in the country.Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, died after a shootout Sunday with Mexican security forces. Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said authorities followed one of his romantic partners to his hideout in Tapalpa.The cartel responded to his killing with widespread violence, including blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles. In a different location in Jalisco, soldiers killed another high-ranking cartel member who was coordinating violence and offering more than $1,000 for each soldier killed.The dead included 25 members of the Mexican National Guard who were killed in six separate attacks. Approximately 30 criminal suspects were killed in Jalisco, and four others were killed in the neighboring state of Michoacan. A prison guard and an agent from the state prosecutor’s office also died.President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged calm and said 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared by Monday as tourists stranded by the violence waited for word for when they’d be able to return to their home countries.In fullMexico latest: Tourists told to shelter in place after killing of cartel drug lord El Mencho sparks violenceThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in