Mexico Deploys 2,000 Soldiers to Combat Drug Cartel

The Mexican government announced the deployment of an additional 2,000 troops to the state of Jalisco following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

The large-scale deployment is intended to curb the wave of violence that erupted after the death of the country’s most wanted drug lord.

Several areas in Jalisco and neighboring states have reported roadblocks, car fires, and attacks on security forces.

The authorities said the reinforcements include army and National Guard units tasked with securing roads, airports, and strategic urban centers, particularly in the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta areas.

President Claudia Sheinbaum called the operation against the CJNG a decisive step in the fight against organized crime, while acknowledging that retaliatory attacks by the cartel should be expected.

Security experts warn that the elimination of the cartel leader could lead to a temporary escalation of violence and internal power struggles.

The government says its goal is to quickly restore public order and prevent the spread of instability to other regions of the country.

Start of the operation

A large-scale military operation took place on February 22, 2026, in the mountain town of Tapalpa (state of Jalisco) and led to a wave of armed attacks by militants, plunging much of the region into chaos.

The assault on the cartel’s base was led by Mexican army units with the support of the National Guard and the Mexican Air Force.

CJNG militants used improvised armored vehicles and heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, to target aircraft against government forces. As a result of intense fighting, the military killed seven cartel members, including the group’s leader.

Oseguera Cervantes was critically wounded during the shootout and died while being evacuated by medical helicopter to Mexico City. During the raid, security forces lost one National Guard soldier, and three other soldiers were wounded.

The success of the operation was ensured by the newly formed Joint Interagency Task Force to Combat Cartels (JITF-CC) led by the US military. American intelligence provided Mexican partners with precise coordinates and a detailed operational plan.