Al Jazeera English Mexico fears bloodshed after the killing of powerful cartel leader El Mencho

Mexico’s government is facing questions over the cost of killing El Mencho, the country’s most powerful drug lord and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Twenty-five National Guard members died in firefights on Sunday – the highest single-day death toll on record – whilst the cartel blocked more than 250 roads across the country with burning vehicles, demonstrating its reach and power.
The operation marks a shift in strategy for President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had pledged to avoid direct confrontation with cartels but changed course under pressure from US President Donald Trump. Residents in Guadalajara now fear a violent succession battle, as historically happens when Mexico kills a cartel leader.

Al Jazeera’s John Holman reports from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/
Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/
Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile

#Mexico #ElMencho #CJNG #JaliscoNewGenerationCartel #MexicoDrugWar2026 #ClaudiaSheinbaum #Guadalajara #PuertoVallarta #MexicanArmy #MexicoCartelViolence #AlJazeeraEnglish

Watch the full video on YouTube