JUST IN: 🇲🇽 CJNG cartel sets buses and buildings on fire in Puerto Vallarta after Mexican Army kills cartel leader El Mencho.

 

JUST IN: 🇲🇽 CJNG cartel sets buses and buildings on fire in Puerto Vallarta after Mexican Army kills cartel leader El Mencho.

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— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) February 22, 2026

The X post from @BRICSinfo

 (dated February 22, 2026) reports a major escalation in Mexico: The CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel) set buses, vehicles, and buildings on fire in Puerto Vallarta following confirmation that Mexican Army forces killed their longtime leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as "El Mencho".Key details from the post and surrounding reports:El Mencho was killed during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco (roughly 2 hours southwest of Guadalajara). He was reportedly wounded in the raid and died en route (possibly by air) to Mexico City, according to Mexico's Defense Ministry (Sedena).

The operation appears to have involved collaboration or intelligence support from the United States.

In retaliation, CJNG gunmen carried out widespread attacks, including narco-blockades ("narcobloqueos"), arson of public buses and private vehicles, roadblocks, and chaos in multiple Jalisco cities like Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Tapalpa. Videos show thick smoke over streets, burning transport, and panic (including at airports).

This triggered a violent response across parts of western Mexico, with reports of gunfire near airports, flight cancellations (including to Puerto Vallarta), school closures, and port disruptions.

The U.S. Embassy issued an urgent shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens in affected areas, including:Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Chapala)

Parts of Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León

El Mencho had long been one of the world's most wanted drug lords, with the U.S. offering a $15 million reward for his capture. His death is seen as a major blow to CJNG — one of Mexico's most powerful and violent cartels — but it has sparked immediate revenge attacks, a common cartel tactic to disrupt security forces and demonstrate continued power.The attached video in the original post shows chaotic street scenes with heavy smoke, burning vehicles, and related violence in the area.This is a rapidly developing situation as of late February 22, 2026 — the violence appears concentrated but intense, especially in tourist-heavy Puerto Vallarta.