23.02.2026 08:53
The military-equipped wing of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), led by drug lord El Mencho, who was killed by the Mexican army, escalated the security crisis in the country by threatening to blow up the state if his allegedly kidnapped son was not surrendered.
As the security crisis surrounding the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) grows in Mexico, the organization's military-equipped, paramilitary-looking militia wing has released a new threat message. The cartel's high-ranking powers issued stern statements that they would "blow up the entire state and launch an attack with all their military equipment" if "El Menchito," the son of the alleged kidnapped El Mencho, is not surrendered by 12:00 — although these claims have not yet been verified by independent sources in the press, they reveal the nature of the organization's threatening language.
Mexican security institutions and international media state that CJNG is defined as a powerful armed organization across the country; the organization has been classified as a terrorist group and a criminal structure supporting global terrorism by the U.S. Department of State and other institutions. It has also been documented that CJNG has kidnapped civilians and targeted local officials, judges, and security forces.
CJNG'S "MILITARIZED STRUCTURE"
It has long been noted in international reports that CJNG is described as a criminal network operating with military tactics, using heavy weapons and equipment in Mexico's internal conflict environment. This structure is reported to have deepened the organization's power on the ground and the conflicts it conducts against the government and security forces.
TENSION AFTER THE OPERATION
As a reminder, the Mexican army carried out a large-scale operation on February 22 that killed the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho. This development led to an increase in violent incidents across many states in the country, including blockades, road closures, and attacks on police and military targets.
SECURITY WARNINGS
Mexican News Daily and international sources indicate that following this conflict in the country, some foreign governments, including the U.S., have also issued security warnings to their citizens, while experts emphasize that CJNG is trying to intimidate both the local population and security forces with these threats.