CJNG Cartel Violence Disrupts Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta Airports

Violent retaliation by the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) following the death of its leader, Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, on February 22, 2026, caused significant disruption to aviation operations in western Mexico. Armed cartel members stormed Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), forcing flight suspensions and triggering a top-level security alert across the state of Jalisco.

The coordinated attacks paralyzed critical infrastructure, most notably at GDL, Mexico's third-busiest airport. Videos from the terminal showed panicked employees and passengers seeking cover as reports of armed incursions spread. The Jalisco state government responded by activating a ‘Código Rojo’ (Red Code), its highest emergency protocol for high-risk security situations. The violence quickly extended to the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, leading to flight diversions and cancellations at Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR).

Widespread and Coordinated Attacks

The trigger for the chaos was a Mexican military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, that resulted in the death of ‘El Mencho’. According to the Mexican Ministry of Defence, the engagement also left four other CJNG operatives dead. The cartel’s response was immediate and widespread. Beyond the airport incursion, CJNG established ‘narcobloqueos’—narco-blockades—on major thoroughfares in Tlajomulco, Ciudad Guzmán, and Autlán. The violence also spilled into the neighboring states of Michoacán and Tamaulipas.

In Puerto Vallarta, a CJNG stronghold, cartel members set fire to buses, commercial properties, and other structures. The disruption forced airlines to divert aircraft already en route to PVR as a standard safety protocol. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a formal security alert instructing American citizens in five states—Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León—to shelter in place until further notice.

The Fall of a Kingpin

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was one of the most wanted criminals in the world. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considered him a top priority, and the U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program had offered a bounty of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture. According to the source article, the U.S. government had formally designated the CJNG as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on February 20, 2025.

The death of ‘El Mencho’ represents a major success for the administration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, which has faced pressure from the United States to counter cartel operations more aggressively. However, the event also underscores the risks of the so-called ‘kingpin strategy.’ President Sheinbaum has previously expressed skepticism about this approach, arguing that targeting top leaders often leads to cartel fragmentation and an escalation of violence as factions fight for control. The immediate and visceral response from CJNG appears to validate these concerns.

What Comes Next

With its founder gone, the CJNG faces an unprecedented leadership crisis. Security analysts anticipate a period of internal power struggles and violent territorial disputes with rival cartels seeking to exploit the power vacuum. The disruption on February 22 may represent the beginning, rather than the peak, of a new wave of instability.

For the aviation sector, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of airport operations to external security threats in regions with a heavy organized crime presence. Airlines and airport authorities will likely re-evaluate security protocols and contingency plans for airports in high-risk areas. The long-term stability of flight operations in Jalisco and surrounding states remains uncertain and will depend heavily on the Mexican government's ability to contain the fallout from El Mencho's death and prevent a full-scale cartel war.

Why This Matters

This event highlights the profound impact that organized crime can have on critical civil aviation infrastructure. The ability of a cartel to effectively shut down two major international airports underscores a significant security vulnerability for Mexico, affecting not only passenger safety but also tourism and commerce. For the broader aviation industry, it serves as a case study on the cascading effects of regional instability and the need for robust security measures that extend beyond the airport perimeter.

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