Threat of further violence looms after Mexican cartel rampage

The BBC speaks to Guadalajara residents days after cartel members sought to avenge the killing of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera.

The Mexican army's killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes has led to widespread violence, including roadblocks and arson across multiple states, prompting authorities to deploy troops and cancel school in several regions.

The State Department extended their warning for American citizens in parts of Mexico to shelter in place on Monday morning, one day after the Mexican military operation killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, sparking violence and chaos in parts of the country. Chaos broke out in parts of Mexico after a military operation killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho.' Violence broke out in multiple Mexican states after the military killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho,' on Sunday—especially in his home state of Jalisco, and the state’s major cities of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. A security alert sent by the US Embassy in Mexico issued a shelter in place warning for U.S. citizens in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Baja California, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Sinaloa, and certain parts of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Zacatecas—a total of 18 of Mexico’s 31 states.

The killing of Mexico’s most powerful drug lord provoked violence in areas controlled by his Jalisco New Generation Cartel, with reports of cars burning in the streets and photos showing damage to businesses. In an overnight statement, the U.S. Embassy issued alerts covering areas of 18 Mexican states — more than half the total. It warned Americans in eight cities, including popular tourist destinations such as Puerto Vallarta and Cancún, to shelter in place, citing dangers from blocked roads and criminal activity. In a late night message, President Claudia Sheinbaum urged Mexicans to remain 'informed and calm.' Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, was among the cities hit hardest in Sunday’s initial wave of violence. Pablo Lemus Navarro, Jalisco’s governor, said in a video on social media that he had declared a 'code red' emergency, suspending public transportation, major events and school on Monday.

Following the killing of 'El Mencho', violence erupted in Mexico, with torched cars and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, leading to widespread disorder.