The cartel that set Mexico on fire has turned its eyes to the public: We will shoot anyone who goes out on the street.

The cartel that set Mexico on fire has turned its eyes to the public: We will shoot anyone who goes out on the street.

23.02.2026 00:42

A threat has been issued to the public by the CJNG cartel, whose leaders were killed in an operation carried out by federal security forces in Mexico. While clashes continue in many states of the country, a statement from the cartel indicated that anyone who goes out after 2 a.m. will be targeted.

In an operation carried out by federal security forces in Mexico, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the country's most wanted drug lord, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," was killed.

SMOKE RISES FROM 6 STATES

Following El Mencho's death, a wave of violence erupted in the state. During the operation, numerous roadblocks and incidents of vehicle and business arson occurred in Jalisco and some other states as a possible retaliation by the criminal organization.

Threat to the public from the cartel that set Mexico on fire: We will shoot anyone who goes out

Images shared in the media and on social media showed burning vehicles and rising smoke in the states of Jalisco, Michoacan, Colima, Nayarit, Aguascalientes, and Tamaulipas, while some businesses were reported to have been burned in Guanajuato.

Threat to the public from the cartel that set Mexico on fire: We will shoot anyone who goes out

CLASH BETWEEN THE ARMY AND THE CARTEL

Local sources reported that CJNG members raided the airport and clashed with security forces. Videos shared on social media showed many people fleeing in panic from the airport.

Threat to the public from the cartel that set Mexico on fire: We will shoot anyone who goes out

"RED ALERT" ACTIVATED

The Jalisco state government requested the public to stay at home, suspended public transportation, and activated a "red alert" due to developments threatening public safety. Additionally, a joint security table was established among federal, state, and local governments.

Threat to the public from the cartel that set Mexico on fire: We will shoot anyone who goes out

CARTEL THREATENS "WE WILL SHOOT ANYONE WHO GOES OUT"

On the other hand, the CJNG cartel, whose leaders were killed, also issued a curfew. In the announcement made by the cartel, it was stated that anyone who goes out after 2 AM would be targeted.

Threat to the public from the cartel that set Mexico on fire: We will shoot anyone who goes out

CJNG WAS DESIGNATED AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION BY WASHINGTON

The U.S. accused El Mencho of running "a reign of terror" in Mexico and "ruining countless lives" through fentanyl trafficking. The Washington administration had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to El Mencho's capture or conviction. CJNG is known as one of the Mexican cartels designated as a terrorist organization by the Washington administration since last year.

Threat to the public from the cartel that set Mexico on fire: We will shoot anyone who goes out

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