Mexican president insists country is ‘at peace’ after cartel boss killing sparks mayhem

MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sought to quell fears Monday after violence erupted in 20 Mexican states over the killing of the world’s most wanted cartel kingpin, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”

“The country is at peace,” Sheinbaum told reporters at his daily news conference in Mexico City. “Beware.”

Schools were closed in some states on Monday and some flights were suspended in the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco state, where Oseguera lived and was killed in his mountain hideout.

Mexico’s top security official, Omar García Harfuch, said 25 National Guard members were killed in organized crime attacks in the state of Jalisco on Sunday. It is not yet clear how the soldiers were killed.

Mexican Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo has revealed new details of a special forces operation targeting Oseguera, the founder and leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel.

Trevilla said that in recent days, Mexican intelligence officers had tracked his girlfriend’s movements and identified where Oseguera was living.

As troops approached Oseguera’s compound near the town of Tapalpa on Sunday, cartel agents opened fire in what Trevilla described as a “very violent attack.”

A gunfight broke out between soldiers and cartel supporters, and Oseguera escaped. Soldiers set up a perimeter around the compound and later discovered the drug lord hiding in a nearby forest.

He and his two guards were seriously injured. The three people were transported by helicopter to the nearby city of Morelia, but they died en route, Trevilla said.

An arsenal of guns, rocket launchers and grenades was found at Oseguera’s compound, two hours south of the city of Guadalajara.

The military operation triggered retaliatory attacks in Jalisco and other states where the cartel has a presence, with gangsters blocking roads with burning cars, setting fire to some gas stations and store fronts, and opening fire on security personnel. It is a common technique for cartels to try to create chaos in order to disrupt military actions.

Authorities said the violence had eased for now, and Sheinbaum said he expected schools and flights to resume through Tuesday.

“We woke up today with no blockade,” Sheinbaum said. “All activities have virtually restarted.”

Officials say the government has sent thousands of troops to bolster security in Jalisco and is prepared to combat any additional violence as the cartel’s remaining leaders jockey for power. “We’re prepared for this,” Harfuch said.

Trevilla said that US intelligence played a role in the operation, but that it was the job of Mexican officials to identify Oseguera’s hiding place and plan and carry out the attack.

“In this case, there was information provided by the United States,” Sheinbauam said. “But the whole operation depends on its planning. [stage] It was the responsibility of federal forces. “

Trevilla said: “Mexico has solid institutions… Trust your government.”

Linthicum reported from New York and McDonnell from Mexico City.