As of February 22, 2026, is in a state of high alert following a major military operation that killed the country's most-wanted drug kingpin.
Current Security Crisis
- Death of "El Mencho": The Mexican army confirmed today that they killed , the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of .
- Active "Code Red": In immediate retaliation, cartel members have launched widespread attacks across and neighboring states.
- Blockades: Major highways are blocked by burning buses and trucks.
- Resort Disruptions: In , tourists were evacuated or ordered to shelter in place as violence reached the city and its airport.
- Travel Alert: The U.S. Department of State has issued an urgent security alert for , , , , and , advising citizens to shelter in place until further notice.
Status of Major Cartels
- Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG): Despite the loss of its leader, the CJNG remains one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations. It recently issued threats to attack U.S. Border Patrol agents with weaponized drones in response to a border crackdown.
- Sinaloa Cartel: The organization has been significantly weakened by internal infighting following the loss of top leaders " and the sons of "El Chapo" (the Chapitos), most of whom are now in U.S. custody.
- Weaponization of Technology: Cartels have dramatically increased their use of aerial drones for surveillance and dropping explosives on security forces.
Government & International Context
- Shift in Strategy: President Claudia Sheinbaum has abandoned the previous "hugs, not bullets" approach for a more aggressive offensive, partly to head off threats of U.S. military intervention.
- Extraditions: In a show of cooperation, Mexico recently extradited 37 members of organized crime to the U.S..
- U.S. Designations: In early 2025, the U.S. officially designated the major Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
Major media outlets are currently providing extensive coverage of the security crisis in Mexico following the death of on February 22, 2026.
Key News Coverage Highlights
- Breaking Reports: The New York Times and The Washington Post are providing real-time updates on the military operation in , which "decapitated" the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
- Violence and Retaliation: The Guardian and Reuters have documented "narco-roadblocks" across five states—Jalisco, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas—using burned-out buses and trucks to impede federal forces.
- Airport Chaos: Several outlets, including Times of India and Hindustan Times, are reporting significant disruption at and in , where U.S. airlines have canceled flights due to nearby gunfire and violence.
- Drone Conflict: Fox News and CNN recently highlighted a separate, escalating issue: the use of weaponized drones by cartels near the U.S. border, which led to a 10-day airspace closure in El Paso earlier this month after a cartel drone incursion.
- Political Context: The Wall Street Journal notes that the operation is a major win for President , signaling an aggressive shift in strategy to appease the Trump administration, which has threatened direct military intervention in Mexico.
Recent Major Reports
- PBS News: Covered the extradition of 37 cartel members to the U.S. as part of a renewed cooperation effort.
- WOLA: Detailed the deployment of anti-drone laser weapons by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to counter cartel surveillance drones.
