Mexican army forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the elusive leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation Sunday in the western state of Jalisco, Mexican officials confirmed.

The death of one of the world’s most wanted drug lords marks a major blow to organized crime in Mexico and comes amid heightened U.S. pressure on the Mexican government to curb fentanyl trafficking. It triggered immediate retaliatory violence across Jalisco, including road blockades and clashes, prompting several airlines to suspend flights to the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta.

Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was wounded in a predawn raid in the town of Tapalpa, about two hours southwest of Guadalajara, Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense said in a statement. He died en route to Mexico City by air for medical treatment, along with two other injured cartel members. Four cartel gunmen were killed at the scene, two others were arrested, and authorities seized armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other weapons. Three soldiers were wounded and are receiving treatment.

A federal official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, described the operation as an attempt to capture El Mencho that turned deadly when troops came under heavy fire.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, has grown into one of Mexico’s most dominant and violent criminal organizations since its founding around 2009. Under El Mencho’s leadership, it has flooded the United States with fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine while engaging in extortion, fuel theft and territorial wars with rivals like the Sinaloa Cartel. The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

El Mencho, a former police officer, had evaded capture for more than a decade, with rumors of his death or severe illness circulating repeatedly but never confirmed until now. His low-profile style contrasted with flashier predecessors like Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, yet the CJNG’s brutality — including public displays of bodies and attacks on security forces — made it a top priority for both Mexican and U.S. authorities.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration has faced criticism for its “hugs, not bullets” approach to cartels, but recent operations suggest a shift toward more aggressive tactics, possibly in response to threats from the incoming Trump administration to conduct unilateral strikes inside Mexico if drug flows continue unabated.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed the killing on social media, calling El Mencho “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins” and praising the operation as a “great development.”

The killing unleashed chaos in Jalisco almost immediately. Cartel gunmen set up roadblocks with burning vehicles, clashed with security forces and targeted infrastructure in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. Reports of shootouts and forced shelter-in-place orders spread across the state.

The violence directly impacted tourism and air travel. Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) suspended operations Sunday afternoon due to security concerns, with access roads blocked and reports of unrest near the facility.

Air Canada announced it was temporarily suspending all flights to Puerto Vallarta “due to an ongoing security situation” and advised passengers not to head to the airport. United Airlines canceled its flights to the destination, while WestJet, Porter Airlines and others diverted or grounded services. Major U.S. carriers including Delta, American and Alaska also reported cancellations or diversions affecting routes to Puerto Vallarta and nearby Guadalajara.

Canada issued an updated travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to parts of Jalisco, and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico warned American citizens in the region to shelter in place and monitor local media.

Puerto Vallarta, a key beach resort drawing millions of international visitors annually, has largely been spared the worst cartel violence in recent years despite being in CJNG heartland. The sudden disruptions raised fears of broader economic fallout for Mexico’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on flights from the U.S. and Canada.

Analysts said El Mencho’s death could fracture the CJNG or spark infighting over succession, potentially leading to more violence in the short term. His son, Rubén Oseguera González, known as “El Menchito,” was extradited to the U.S. in 2020 and remains in custody, while other family members and lieutenants may vie for control.

“This is the most significant takedown since El Chapo,” said one security expert familiar with cartel dynamics, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But decapitation strikes rarely end cartels — they often mutate or splinter.”

Mexican officials have not released details on funeral arrangements or confirmation of identity beyond forensic processes, but multiple sources including the Defense Ministry and international media corroborated the death.

As Jalisco remained on edge late Sunday, federal forces deployed reinforcements to restore order. Authorities urged residents to avoid travel and report suspicious activity.

The operation underscores the ongoing challenges in Mexico’s drug war, now in its second decade, with tens of thousands killed and powerful groups still controlling vast territories. El Mencho’s elimination may provide temporary relief to U.S.-Mexico relations, but experts warn that without addressing root causes like poverty and corruption, new leaders will rise to fill the void.