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

Is El Mencho's death a victory against narcoterrorism or a trigger for destabilizing chaos across Mexico?

Published 14 hours ago·Updated 12 hours ago

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

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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

Narrative A

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.

Claudia Sheinbaum on X

OSINTdefender on X

Narrative B

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