Snapshot 6:Mon, Feb 23, 2026 7:05:29 AM GMT last edited by Anna-Lisa

Mexico: Violence Erupts After Drug Lord El Mencho Killed in Military Operation

Published 7 days ago

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Above: National Guard members stand guard near a burnt bus set on fire by organized crime groups in Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Image credit: Ulises Ruiz / AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

This is a decisive victory in the fight against narcoterrorism, demonstrating that strong bilateral cooperation and unwavering commitment to justice can dismantle even the most powerful criminal organizations. This operation proves that designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and providing intelligence support delivers real results against those trafficking deadly fentanyl into American communities.

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The killing of El Mencho triggered widespread chaos across Mexico with burning vehicles, highway blockades in eight states, canceled flights and at least nine deaths including security personnel and civilians. The operation turned Guadalajara into a ghost town, forced schools to close and created scenes of terror that demonstrate how military strikes against cartel leaders destabilize entire regions.

Guardian

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 35% chance that the U.S. will deploy military forces in Mexico without the Mexican government's cooperation before 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.