Mexico’s Navy and armed forces have reinforced security across Jalisco following the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as «El Mencho,» in an operation that triggered retaliatory violence and raised concerns for the safety of the many American and foreign tourists who are staying in the area.

In a Feb. 24 press release, Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy said 103 Marines and tactical vehicles arrived in the main tourist area of Puerto Vallarta aboard the naval vessel ARM «Usumacinta» (A-412) to reinforce surveillance and security operations after attacks targeting businesses and property in several neighborhoods. 

Naval authorities said additional personnel supported by boats, aircraft and ground vehicles were deployed to conduct maritime, aerial and land patrols to help restore order.

The naval reinforcement came as federal authorities sent roughly 2,000 additional soldiers to Jalisco following the cartel leader’s death, Reuters reported.

The operation targeting El Mencho, long considered one of Mexico’s most powerful drug traffickers and head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, sparked immediate retaliation from cartel members, including roadblocks, vehicle burnings and clashes across multiple states, AP reported.

Mexican officials have framed the killing as a major blow to organized crime. But analysts caution that removing a cartel leader does not necessarily translate into lasting stability.

David Mora, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, stated that «federal authorities announced that they are reinforcing troop deployments to contain the cartel’s backlash, which may be protracted.»

SOCCER MATCHES POSTPONED AFTER MEXICO KILLS CARTEL LEADER ‘EL MENCHO’ NEAR WORLD CUP HOST

The State Department declared El Mencho deceased on Tuesday. (State Department)

Mora added that «El Mencho left no clear heir, and the remaining leaders could dispute control,» and warned that the cartel’s ongoing turf wars with smaller groups, especially in Guanajuato and Michoacán, could intensify as rivals seek advantage.

While the killing delivered President Claudia Sheinbaum «a win with Washington,» Mora said, «it is far from clear the killing will aid the president’s ultimate goal of pacifying Mexico.»

Duncan Wood, a visiting fellow for North America at the Wilson Center, described the operation as a demonstration of state authority but warned the aftermath may hinge on the cartel’s structure.

TRUMP’S ‘TOTAL ELIMINATION’ STRATEGY PAVED WAY FOR FALL OF CARTEL KINGPIN ‘EL MENCHO’

Mexican navy marines guard the area where new clandestine mass graves were found near the town of La Joya, on the ouskisrts of Iguala, Mexico, Thursday Oct. 9, 2014.  ((AP Photo/Felix Marquez))

«The removal of El Mencho represents a meaningful assertion of Mexican state authority against one of the country’s most violent criminal organizations. The chaos that followed was real, but temporary,» Wood said.

«In the medium term, the focus shifts to the resilience of the CJNG’s decentralized cells and the Mexican government’s capacity to sustain a comprehensive security strategy.»

In a statement posted Feb. 24 on X, the Embassy of Mexico in the United States said transit corridors were reopening and public services were being restored, airline operations were returning to normal and Puerto Vallarta International Airport had reopened to domestic traffic.

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Members of the National Guard stand guard outside the facilities of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) in Mexico City, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. The security presence outside the FEMDO facilities follows an operation earlier in the day in which cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’ was killed during a military operation in Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco, authorities confirmed.  (Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty Image)

The embassy said some local security measures remain in place and that authorities are working with international partners to ensure safety at transit hubs and tourist destinations.

Whether the surge of troops and naval forces will prevent a broader escalation remains uncertain as authorities brace for potential power struggles within the cartel and continued clashes with rival groups.

Armando Regil Velasco and Reuters contributed to this report

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The architect of former President Bill Clinton’s political rise offered a profane preview of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, claiming he will face a «public humiliation» by November.

James Carville, known as the ‘Ragin Cajun’ for his raucous demeanor, claimed every member of Trump’s administration except top adviser Stephen Miller «hates» him. He delivered the remarks on the Politicon YouTube channel he shares with journalist Al Hunt.

«However bad you think this is, however much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, in your staff, in your Congress, attorney on you, it’s just starting,» Carville said.

«You know how miserable you’re going to be in November? You know, how f—ing miserable you are? Tens of millions of American people get a chance to tell you exactly what they think of you.»

He addressed Trump as if he were watching, telling him to «sit still while I’m talking to you» and advising that «everybody is stabbing you in the back» before calling him a «fat, sorry, sack of s—.»

He claimed the Pentagon has begun, or will begin, leaking information to hurt Trump «because your boy Pete can’t control s—,» in an apparent reference to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

«You can’t trust anyone: trust no one, right. OK, maybe Stephen Miller, I’ll give you that one. The Congress can’t stand you. They’re not going to pass s— for you. They hate you. They know you’re going to bring them to staggering defeat.»

TOP LIBERALS ANTICIPATE PROSECUTION, HUMILIATION OF TRUMP AND HIS MAGA ALLIES WHEN DEMS REGAIN POWER

James Carville speaks onstage during Election Night Live With Brian Williams at Amazon Studios on November 05, 2024, in Culver City, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Amazon Studios)

Carville also claimed Congress is in disarray, alleging that his fellow Louisianan Mike Johnson «doesn’t know whether to wind his a– or scratch his watch.»

«You are the most unpopular president at this point in your term that we’ve ever had. They don’t like you. You understand that? They don’t like you. They don’t like the way you smell and the way that you look. They don’t like your fat stomach. They don ‘t like your stupid combover,» Carville said, referring to the American people.

He also referenced the fact that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia ultimately decided to stop seeking prosecution of six federal lawmakers led by Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who produced a video advising service members they can refuse lawful orders.

BILL MAHER CALLS FOR COMPLETE END TO STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AHEAD OF TRUMP SPEECH

«When you lose Judge Jeanine… that’s kind of horrible,» he said, referring to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who is a former judge in Westchester County, N.Y. and ex-Fox News host.

«You’re in the process of getting the living s— kicked out of you. And how bad do you think this is? However much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, your own staff, and your own Congress attorney on you. It’s just starting.»

Carville closed by wishing Trump «good health» but warned him a «public humiliation is happening as we speak.»

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«People [will] tell you exactly what the f— they think of you, and I got news for you, it ain’t very good,» he said.

In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson called Carville an «irrelevant loser» who «rambles to an audience of no one.»

«This is a sad example of late stage Trump Derangement Syndrome,» Jackson told Fox News Digital.

«President Trump is focused on delivering on his many promises for the American people — driving down costs, tackling Bidenflation, deporting criminal illegal aliens, lowering crime rates, and more,» she added.

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