Monday, July 20, 2026

U.S. issues security alert to citizens in Mexico after military kills drug baron El Mencho

The U.S. embassy in Mexico issued a security alert on its website, urging its citizens in the country to remain at home.

• February 23, 2026
Map of Mexico
Map of Mexico

United States authorities have issued a security alert to citizens living in Mexico after the drug cartel leader, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, who was declared wanted by the U.S., was killed in a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, on Sunday.

The U.S. embassy in Mexico issued a security alert on its website, urging its citizens in the country to remain in their homes, “seek shelter and minimise unnecessary movements, and avoid areas around law enforcement activity.”

“Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in a number of locations in Mexico are urged to shelter in place,” the security alert reads.

It said that all U.S. government officials in some areas of Mexico are to remain at home and work remotely.

“All U.S. government staff at Consulate General Monterrey have been directed to remain in the Monterrey metropolitan area, and U.S. government staff have been directed not to travel to Mazatlan through Wednesday, February 25.

“U.S. government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco), Cancun (Quintana Roo), Playa del Carmen (Quintana Roo), Cozumel (Quintana Roo), Reynosa (Tamaulipas state), Tijuana (Baja California), and Michoacan will shelter in place and work remotely on Monday, February 23, and U.S. citizens should do the same,” the security alert reads.

Mr El Mencho, leader of Mexico’s drug cartel, was killed by the Mexican military, a development that sparked a violent crisis by his gang members.

Before Sunday’s operation, the U.S. had declared El Mencho, who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as CJNG, wanted, with the State Department placing a $15 million bounty on him.

In February, the President Donald Trump administration designated the CJNG cartel as a foreign terrorist organisation.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang

States

Mutfwang hails Tinubu for approving dualisation of Plateau-Taraba road

Mr Mutfwang particularly thanked Mr Yilwatda for his strategic engagement and commitment to the development of Plateau State at all times.

Peter Obi

NationWide

Obi thanks God @65, donates ₦10 million to rural hospital in Anambra community

Mr Obi expressed gratitude to God and renewed commitment to the service of humanity.

Triumphant Spain

Heading 3

Spain lift 2026 World Cup after beating Messi’s Argentina

The defeat meant that Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates failed to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles in 64 years.

Map of Kano State

States

Fire service rescues man trapped under collapsed Kano wall

The PRO said that the victim was rescued alive and conveyed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano State.

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu

Heading 1

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu for 2027 Ogun governorship race

Mr Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.