to update: The Mexican army killed the leader of the New Generation Jalisco Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho.”
Multiple videos of violence and vehicle fires came from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Sunday. Local residents have been advised of the lockdown amid federal operations in the municipality of Tapalpa in Jalisco, Mexican daily El Financiero reported. The report added that criminal groups and cartel members responded to the operation with sieges, arson, and armed confrontations.
Governor activates red alert
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemos confirmed the unrest occurred shortly after the operation began, explaining that criminal cells responded by burning vehicles and blocking highways in the southern region and in urban areas.
He wrote on the
He added: “I have given instructions to immediately establish a security coordination table with authorities from all three levels of government and activate Code Red in order to prevent actions against the population.”
Where sieges and attacks broke out
Reports of cartel sieges multiplied rapidly. In the Guadalajara metropolitan area, vehicles were set on fire to stop traffic on Avenida 16 de September, La Paz, Periferico and Calzada Independencia.
At the same time, southern municipalities, including Tecolotlán, Tapalpa, Ojo de Agua, Linda Vista, Ayutla, Talpa, Melaque Junction, El Tuito, and the highway to Morelia, saw similar tactics.
The unrest has even reached tourist centres. In Puerto Vallarta, public buses were set on fire downtown, motorcycle chases were reported, and a shootout broke out in Ixtapa.
Federal raid at Tapalpa
According to state officials, the violence was directly linked to a federal operation in Tapalpa, a popular mountainous destination in southern Jalisco. The authorities did not publish the details of the mission, but the governor indicated in his letter that the federal deployment prompted the cartel to respond.
The state’s security cabinet issued its own statement, indicating continued coordination with the national forces to contain the situation.
Links to other arrests
Hours before the Tapalpa raid, federal authorities detained Alma Rosa “N,” known as “La Leona,” in the municipality of Tala. She is believed to be a CJNG recruit and is allegedly associated with “El Lastra” and linked to the Rancho Izaguirre case. Her arrest is suspected to be one of several factors increasing tensions in the region.
