On February 22, 2026, the leader of Mexico’s well known billion-dollar CJNG leader was shot and killed. 59-year-old ‘El Mencho’ (full name Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes) was known as the top drug kingpin, commonly drug trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs all over the US and Australia, according to the New York Times.

‘El Mencho’ was captured in Tapalpa, Jalisco, and killed while in the hands of Mexican officials. This set off a fire storm in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which members have now been bringing about violence on anything related to who killed their leader. Many towns and cities are gearing up for attacks by the cartel’s members. Already, 20 Mexican states have been affected a by an attack made by the members, according to BBC news.

Not only is this affecting citizens of Mexico, but tourists as well. According to BBC news, tourists had to shelter in place in open areas, while Cartel members took over places like the Puerto Vallarta airport.

The death of ‘El Mencho’ may be a turn in the Mexican Cartel violence and drug trade, but at what cost?