Mexico's security minister details deadly cartel retaliation following El Mencho operation

Record ID: 2343879

  • Title: Mexico's security minister details deadly cartel retaliation following El Mencho operation
  • Date: 23rd February 2026
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (FEBRUARY 23, 2026) (REUTERS) REPORTERS AT MEXICAN PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM'S MORNING PRESS CONFERENCE MEXICAN SECURITY MINISTER OMAR GARCIA HARFUCH ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN SECURITY MINISTER, OMAR GARCIA HARFUCH, SAYING: "There were 85 blockades on federal highways in Baja California, State of Mexico, Michoacan, Gu
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: El Mencho Harfuch Mexico Violence
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,South America / Central America,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001788323022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Mexico's Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch announced on Monday (February 23) that 25 National Guard members, one security guard and one state prosecutor's office employee died in retaliatory cartel attacks following the operation that led to the death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho." 
    Speaking at President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference, Harfuch said 27 attacks against authorities occurred, while 85 highway blockades were registered across 11 states. The minister reported that 30 cartel operatives were killed along with one female bystander, while 70 people were arrested in seven states across the country. 
    Oseguera, Mexico's most-wanted cartel leader and mastermind of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died in custody on Sunday after being wounded in a military special forces operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco state, according to Mexico's defense ministry. 
    U.S. President Donald Trump called on Mexico to intensify its efforts against drug cartels following the violence.
    (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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