Mexican president says highway blockades cleared after El Mencho's capture and cartel violence erupts

Record ID: 2343643

  • Title: Mexican president says highway blockades cleared after El Mencho's capture and cartel violence erupts
  • Date: 23rd February 2026
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (FEBRUARY 23, 2026) (REUTERS) REPORTERS AT MEXICAN PRESIDENT, CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM'S MORNING NEWS CONFERENCE SHEINBAUM ARRIVING AT HER MORNING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT, CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM, SAYING: "We woke up today without any blockades on any of the highways and practically all activity has been restored." WHITE FLASH (SOUND
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion El Mencho Mexico Sheinbaum Violence
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,South America / Central America,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001785123022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday (February 23) that all highway blockades across Mexico had been cleared and normal activity restored following cartel-related violence that erupted after the death of the major drug lord known as El Mencho on Sunday (February 22). 
    During her morning news conference, Sheinbaum said that the government had established a national command centre to coordinate security operations with state governments and maintain peace throughout the country. 
    The president praised Mexico's armed forces, including the army, national guard and air force, for their professionalism during the security operations. She expressed condolences to the families of military personnel who lost their lives during the operations on Sunday. 
    The violence had spread across large parts of Mexico following news of El Mencho's death, with cartel members blocking highways in multiple states. Sheinbaum assured citizens that government authorities, armed forces and the security cabinet were working in close coordination to safeguard peace and security across the national territory.
    (Production: Alberto Fajardo, Dessire Carrion, Hugo Monnet)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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