Authorities say no foreigners were injured in the unrest following the killing of a drug cartel leader in Mexico.
02/24/2026, 06:1902/24/2026, 06:19
“We currently have no reports of injured foreigners,” said the Mexican Foreign Ministry. However, there were numerous Mexican victims: at least 74 people died in cartel attacks, including 25 members of the National Guard. Soldiers cleared roads blocked with burned cars on Monday.
The supporters of “El Mencho” set numerous vehicles on fire.Image: keystone
The 59-year-old drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes alias “El Mencho” died on Sunday as a result of a military operation to arrest him in the western state of Jalisco. Gang members then set up around 250 road blockades in 20 of the 32 Mexican states. Shops were also set on fire. Incidents also occurred in the city of Guadalajara, which is one of three Mexican host cities for the 2026 World Cup.
According to Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla, a criminal leader who was later killed even offered his followers 20,000 pesos (around 980 euros) for each soldier killed.
Normality is gradually returning in many places
Security has now largely been restored in the areas affected by the violence, although isolated incidents still occurred.
In the Caribbean region of the Yucatán Peninsula, which is popular with tourists, around 10,000 soldiers and police officers were deployed as a preventive measure to guard the area. There are holiday destinations such as Cancún, Tulum and Isla Mujeres. “The safety of the population is our top priority,” said the governor of the state of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama. According to them, all activities continue as normal, including schools, hospitals, airports, roads, ports and public facilities.
“El Mencho” was the head of the Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) drug cartel, which was known to be extremely violent. (sda/dpa)