MEXICO CITY — Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as “El Mencho,” was reportedly killed Sunday, February 22, 2026, during a targeted Mexican military operation in the southern part of Jalisco state, according to multiple media outlets.

The 59-year-old Oseguera died from gunshot wounds sustained in a clash with army troops near the rural municipality of Tapalpa, roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Guadalajara. A senior Defense Ministry official confirmed the death to several news organizations, including Reuters, El País and Milenio, stating that Oseguera was fatally wounded during the raid and pronounced dead while being evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Mexico City. Forensic identification was ongoing as of late Sunday, but authorities expressed high confidence in the identification based on biometric data and intelligence.

The operation unfolded in the early morning hours when special forces units from the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) moved on a suspected high-value target compound in a mountainous area known as a CJNG stronghold. Government sources described the raid as intelligence-driven, aimed at capturing Oseguera, who had evaded authorities for more than a decade. When troops made contact, a firefight erupted. Oseguera was struck multiple times and succumbed to his injuries during medical evacuation. Several of his bodyguards and associates were also killed or wounded in the exchange.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has not yet issued an official public statement, but the Defense Ministry is expected to provide details in a formal briefing. Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro of Jalisco posted on social media Sunday afternoon urging residents in southern Jalisco to remain indoors due to “ongoing security operations,” a sign of the scale of the military deployment.

The killing triggered immediate retaliatory violence. Suspected CJNG members set up dozens of roadblocks using burning vehicles in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Colima and parts of Michoacán. Airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta reported disruptions, with armed groups blocking access roads. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a shelter-in-place alert for American citizens in Jalisco and neighboring states, warning of potential reprisals and urging caution.

Oseguera had been one of the world’s most wanted fugitives, with the U.S. State Department offering a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction — one of the highest bounties ever placed on a drug trafficker. Mexico offered 300 million pesos (approximately $15 million). He faced U.S. indictments for drug trafficking, money laundering and murder conspiracy, accused of overseeing the CJNG’s role in flooding the United States with fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The CJNG, which Oseguera co-founded in 2010 after splintering from the Milenio Cartel, grew into Mexico’s most powerful criminal organization through extreme violence, corruption and control of key Pacific ports such as Manzanillo. Under his leadership, the cartel pioneered large-scale fentanyl production using Chinese precursor chemicals and employed public executions, vehicle bombings and attacks on security forces to assert dominance.

His death represents the most significant cartel-leader takedown since Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s recapture in 2016. However, experts caution that the CJNG’s decentralized structure and deep infiltration of local governments mean the organization is unlikely to collapse. Potential successors — including family members and top lieutenants — could trigger internal power struggles, potentially escalating violence in Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato and Colima.

The operation aligns with President Sheinbaum’s strategy of intelligence-led, precision strikes rather than large-scale confrontations. It also comes amid intense U.S. pressure to curb fentanyl flows, including threats of military action inside Mexico and the designation of several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration.

Oseguera’s low-profile lifestyle — rarely photographed, communicating through encrypted channels and moving between remote mountain hideouts — made him exceptionally difficult to locate. His nickname “Mencho” originated from “menchito” (little mango), a childhood moniker. He reportedly maintained a tight circle of loyal sicarios and relied on corruption to protect his movements.

If the government’s account holds, the raid succeeded where years of manhunts failed. The immediate aftermath — widespread roadblocks, airport chaos and shelter advisories — underscores the CJNG’s capacity for rapid, coordinated retaliation.

Security analysts expect heightened violence in western Mexico in the coming days as factions position for control. The killing of El Mencho marks a pivotal moment in Mexico’s long struggle against drug cartels — a major symbolic and operational victory that may disrupt supply chains but is unlikely to end the underlying criminal ecosystem.

MEXICO CITY — Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the long-elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation in southern Jalisco state on Sunday, February 22, 2026, ending one of the most intensive manhunts in the country’s drug war history.

The 59-year-old Oseguera died from multiple gunshot wounds sustained in a pre-dawn raid near the rural municipality of Tapalpa, about 120 kilometers southwest of Guadalajara, the Mexican Defense Ministry confirmed in a late-afternoon statement. A federal official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the operation remained active, told Reuters and the Associated Press that Oseguera was fatally wounded during an exchange of fire with special forces and died while being medically evacuated by helicopter to Mexico City. Forensic confirmation of identity was completed using biometric records and DNA samples, authorities said.

The operation, led by elite units of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), targeted a suspected high-value safe house in a mountainous area long considered a CJNG stronghold. When troops made contact, a firefight erupted. Several of Oseguera’s bodyguards were killed and others wounded, but officials did not release a full casualty count or specify whether the raid was intended as a capture mission or a lethal takedown.

Hours after the raid, suspected CJNG members retaliated with widespread violence. Dozens of roadblocks appeared across Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán, with burning vehicles used to block highways. Gunmen briefly seized control of sections of the Guadalajara airport access road and disrupted traffic near Puerto Vallarta. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an immediate shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens in Jalisco and neighboring states, warning of “potential retaliatory attacks by cartel members.”

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration described the operation as a “decisive blow against organized crime” but has not yet held a formal press conference. Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro of Jalisco posted on social media urging residents to avoid non-essential travel in southern Jalisco, signaling that military and police remained on high alert.

Oseguera had been one of the world’s most wanted fugitives for more than a decade. The United States offered a $15 million reward — one of the largest ever placed on a drug trafficker — for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Mexico offered 300 million pesos (approximately $15 million). He faced multiple U.S. indictments for drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering and continuing criminal enterprise, accused of overseeing the CJNG’s role in flooding the United States with fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Under Oseguera’s command, the CJNG — which he co-founded in 2010 after splintering from the Milenio Cartel — grew into Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organization. The group pioneered large-scale fentanyl production using Chinese precursor chemicals, controlled major Pacific ports such as Manzanillo and employed extreme public violence — including helicopter attacks, mass executions and vehicle bombings — to seize territory from rivals including the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas and the Knights Templar.

His low-profile lifestyle — rarely photographed, communicating through encrypted channels and moving between remote mountain hideouts — made him exceptionally difficult to locate. He was protected by layers of loyal sicarios and widespread corruption of local officials, judges and police.

The killing comes amid intense U.S. pressure on Mexico to curb fentanyl flows, including threats of military action inside Mexico and the designation of several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. It also bolsters Sheinbaum’s strategy of intelligence-led, precision operations rather than large-scale confrontations.

Security analysts cautioned that Oseguera’s death is unlikely to dismantle the CJNG. The cartel’s decentralized structure, deep infiltration of local governments and vast financial resources mean successors — likely family members or top lieutenants — could quickly assume control. Fragmentation often triggers internal wars and increased violence, as seen after previous high-profile takedowns.

The CJNG’s immediate response — coordinated roadblocks, airport disruptions and potential attacks on security forces — underscores the group’s capacity for rapid retaliation. Authorities expect heightened violence in western Mexico in the coming days as factions position for power.

Oseguera’s reported demise marks a pivotal moment in Mexico’s long struggle against drug cartels. While it disrupts leadership and may temporarily weaken supply chains, history suggests the organization will adapt rather than collapse. For the government, the operation is a landmark achievement; for communities living under cartel control, the question remains whether the violence will subside or intensify.

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a citywide travel ban for non-essential vehicles effective immediately on Monday, February 23, 2026, as a historic nor’easter dumped more than 30 inches of snow across the five boroughs, bringing New York City to a virtual standstill and prompting the most severe weather emergency in more than a decade.

The ban, announced at an early morning press conference at City Hall, prohibits all private vehicles, taxis, rideshares and delivery trucks from operating on city streets except for emergency and essential personnel. Public transit remains operational but severely limited, with subway service reduced to essential lines and buses operating on skeleton schedules. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported that several subway lines were suspended due to flooding in tunnels and downed power affecting signals.

“New Yorkers, this is not a typical snowstorm,” Mamdani said, flanked by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “We are facing historic snowfall rates, whiteout conditions and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph. This travel ban is necessary to protect lives, allow plows to clear streets and prevent gridlock that could trap emergency vehicles.”

The National Weather Service office in Upton upgraded the storm to a full blizzard warning for all five boroughs through Tuesday evening, forecasting total accumulations of 28–36 inches in Manhattan, 30–40 inches in Brooklyn and Queens, and up to 45 inches in parts of Staten Island and the Bronx. Wind gusts reached 58 mph at John F. Kennedy International Airport and 62 mph at Battery Park, creating whiteout conditions and blowing snow drifts up to 6 feet high in some neighborhoods.

The storm, which began intensifying Friday night, February 20, has already set several records. Central Park recorded 31.8 inches by 6 a.m. Monday — surpassing the previous February single-storm record of 27.3 inches set in 2006 — and is on pace to become the third-snowiest storm in city history, trailing only the 2009–10 blizzard (33.9 inches) and the 1888 Great Blizzard (40.5 inches over two days).

More than 1,200 flights were canceled at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airport combined, stranding thousands of travelers. Amtrak suspended service between New York and Boston, while NJ Transit and Metro-North trains operated limited schedules. The Port Authority reported the Lincoln and Holland tunnels closed to non-essential traffic, and all East River bridges restricted to emergency vehicles.

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday night, activating the National Guard and coordinating with FEMA for resources. More than 3,000 National Guard members were deployed across the state, with 1,200 assigned to New York City to assist with snow removal, medical transport and shelter operations. The city opened more than 80 warming centers and expanded shelter capacity for unhoused residents.

The NYPD reported more than 400 weather-related 911 calls in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. Monday, including reports of stranded motorists, roof collapses and carbon monoxide incidents from generators used improperly. FDNY responded to 187 structural fires and 62 medical emergencies linked to the storm. At least three fatalities were confirmed statewide — two in upstate New York from cardiac events during shoveling and one motorist in a multi-vehicle crash on the Long Island Expressway — though no deaths had been reported in the city as of midday Monday.

Power outages affected more than 120,000 customers in the five boroughs and Westchester County, with Consolidated Edison reporting widespread damage to overhead lines from ice and wind. Restoration crews worked through the night, but officials warned some outages could persist into Tuesday.

Mamdani emphasized enforcement of the travel ban, noting that violators face fines up to $500 and possible vehicle impoundment. Essential workers — including healthcare personnel, utility crews, food delivery drivers with proper permits and journalists — are exempt but must carry documentation. The mayor urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, warning that visibility in many neighborhoods dropped below 50 feet.

The storm is expected to taper off late Monday into Tuesday, with temperatures rising into the upper 30s by midweek, potentially causing rapid snowmelt and flooding in low-lying areas. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for coastal sections starting Tuesday afternoon.

New Yorkers have been urged to prepare for extended disruptions: schools across the city and suburbs remain closed Monday and Tuesday, trash collection is suspended, and alternate side parking regulations are waived until further notice. The city distributed more than 200,000 salt bags to residents and deployed 1,800 plows and salt spreaders, though officials acknowledged that clearing side streets and sidewalks would take days.

Mamdani’s travel ban — the first full citywide prohibition since Superstorm Sandy in 2012 — reflects the severity of the event. “This is not business as usual,” he said. “We are asking every New Yorker to do their part so emergency services can do theirs.”

As the city digs out, the storm is already being called one of the most significant winter events in modern New York history, testing infrastructure, emergency response and community resilience in the face of extreme weather made more unpredictable by climate change.

Victor Owen Schwartz never imagined he would one day find himself challenging a president in the highest court in the land. 

But after President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs threatened the survival of his wine importing business, Schwartz became a plaintiff in a case that would ultimately reach the Supreme Court — and prevail.

Shortly after the ruling, Trump announced a 10% global tariff and vowed to use other avenues to keep the duties in place. A day later, he raised the tariff to 15%.

SUPREME COURT DEALS BLOW TO TRUMP’S TRADE AGENDA IN LANDMARK TARIFF CASE

A photo of Victor Owen Schwartz of VOS Selections.

Because his business depends on global sourcing, Schwartz was uniquely exposed. With wines and spirits arriving from 16 countries across five continents, nearly every corner of his supply chain was touched by the new tariffs.

On Friday, the nation’s highest court dealt Trump a significant blow to his trade policy. Schwartz watched the decision unfold over Zoom with his lawyers, the fate of his nearly 40-year-old business hanging in the balance.

“We are relieved and very excited to get back to doing what we love, bringing handmade authentic wines and spirits to American consumers,” Schwartz said. “It’s impossible to describe the feeling of elation, of seeing that, yes, we were right, and the court agrees with us, and a feeling that justice prevailed,” he told Fox News Digital.

Schwartz was a plaintiff in one of two cases brought before the Supreme Court. The challenges — Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections Inc. — were filed by an educational toy manufacturer and Schwartz’s family-owned wine and spirits importer, both contesting the legality of Trump’s tariffs. 

The disputes followed Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, a sweeping package of import duties he said would address trade imbalances and reduce reliance on foreign goods.

TRUMP’S TARIFF REVENUES HIT RECORD HIGHS AS SUPREME COURT DEALS MAJOR BLOW

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden in 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“Last spring, thousands of American small businesses like mine were thrown into chaos,” Schwartz said, referring to the “Liberation Day” tariffs. “The administration’s unprecedented tariffs, which my business was forced to pay upfront, threatened our very existence,” he added.

Unlike previous tariffs enacted by Congress, which businesses could plan around, Schwartz said Trump’s sweeping duties felt unpredictable and arbitrary. He argued the new duties forced small companies to “gamble with our livelihoods by trying to predict the unpredictable,” calling them “an unconstitutional act of government overreach.”

Beyond the legal fight, Schwartz said the strain on cash flow was especially acute.

“A very important thing to realize in running any business, certainly a small business, is the impact on cash flow,” he said. “When you have to pay those tariffs up front before you have sold a single bottle of wine, that’s a major impact. Cash flow is the lifeblood of a company.” 

FOX NEWS POLL: TRUMP’S TARIFFS FACED BROAD DISAPPROVAL EVEN BEFORE SUPREME COURT RULING

Victor Owen Schwartz of VOS Selections challenged the president and won in the Supreme Court. (Courtesy of Victor Schwartz)

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The Trump administration has argued that aggressive tariffs are necessary to confront what it calls years of unfair global trade, underscoring how central trade policy is to Trump’s broader economic strategy.

While questions remain about what comes next for U.S. trade policy, Schwartz said he is focused on moving forward and receiving the “government’s refund of these improperly collected taxes.”

A federal judge in San Francisco reportedly spent more than five hours Thursday trying to seat a jury in Elon Musk’s upcoming investor class action trial, as prospective jurors acknowledged strong negative views toward the billionaire entrepreneur.

From a pool of 93, only nine jurors were selected after extensive questioning about whether they could put aside personal opinions about Musk, according to Bloomberg Law.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said finding people with no opinion about Musk — known for leading X, Tesla and SpaceX — would be nearly impossible.

“He’s like the president of the United States, I could search the entire country,” Breyer said. “As a public figure, he will excite strong views, and for him in particular, people have strong views.”

ELON MUSK REVEALS PRICE OF TESLA’S CYBERCAB

Elon Musk speaks during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on March 30, 2025. (Robin Legrand/AFP via Getty Images)

Nearly 40 prospective jurors were quickly dismissed after saying they could not remain impartial, Bloomberg Law reported.

One said he disagrees “with the existence of billionaires.” 

Another said she hated Musk’s decision to fire content moderators after taking over Twitter. 

A third said that if the case were criminal, he would feel a “moral obligation” to convict Musk. 

All were excused, according to Bloomberg Law.

MUSK COMPANY CHOSEN FOR UNDERGROUND TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR UNIVERSAL PARKS

The X logo appears on a smartphone screen in the Apple app store in this photo illustration on Feb. 19, 2026. (Thomas Fuller/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Musk’s attorney, Stephen Broome, of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, noted that the hostility was widespread.

“We have so many people in the venire who hate him so much that we’re becoming desensitized,” Broome said.

However, not all the strong opinions were negative toward Musk. 

One prospective juror described him as a “brilliant scientist” who has helped humanity. She was also dismissed, according to the news outlet.

TECH TITANS ELON MUSK AND REID HOFFMAN ATTACK EACH OTHER OVER LATEST EPSTEIN EMAILS

Parag Agrawal speaks onstage during the HumanX AI Conference at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on March 10, 2025. (Big Event Media/Getty Images for HumanX Conference)

By the end of the day Thursday, jurors including a salesperson, a mechanical engineer and a university IT worker, had been selected. 

The trial, scheduled to begin March 2, centers on investor claims that Musk violated securities law in 2022 by publicly wavering on his agreement to buy Twitter, allegedly driving down the company’s stock price during negotiations.

Musk may testify during the roughly three-week trial, as well as former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal.

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Musk could not be reached for comment.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (36-21) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (43-14) at Paycom Center on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in a marquee NBA regular-season clash between two of the league’s top teams. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT), with the game nationally televised on ABC and available via livestream on multiple platforms.

This matchup pits Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren in what promises to be a high-energy contest featuring elite defense, transition scoring and star power. Both clubs enter with strong records — Cleveland on a seven-game winning streak and OKC holding one of the league’s best home marks — making this a potential playoff preview in the 2025-26 season.

How to Watch and Livestream the Game

• TV Channel: ABC (national broadcast in the United States)
• Livestream Options (U.S.):
  • Fubo (offers free trial for new subscribers; carries ABC in most markets)
  • Hulu + Live TV
  • YouTube TV
  • DIRECTV Stream
  • Sling TV (select packages with ABC availability)
• International Viewing: Check local NBA rights holders (e.g., TSN/Sportsnet in Canada, Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in select regions). Free streams may be available on platforms like NBA League Pass in territories without local blackout restrictions.
• Radio/Audio: SiriusXM NBA Radio and local affiliates (e.g., 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, The Franchise in OKC) provide play-by-play.

For cord-cutters, Fubo stands out as a primary option, delivering ABC along with ESPN, TNT and other NBA channels. New users can start with a free trial to catch the game live without immediate cost. Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV also include ABC in most U.S. markets.

Game Preview and Key Storylines

The Cavaliers bring momentum after a dominant stretch, led by Mitchell’s scoring (averaging 28+ points recently) and Mobley’s defensive anchor role. Cleveland ranks among the league’s top defensive units and excels in transition, traits that could challenge OKC’s pace-and-space style.

The Thunder, defending Western Conference frontrunners, rely on Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber play (30+ points in multiple recent outings) and Holmgren’s rim protection. Playing at home, OKC boasts one of the league’s best records and thrives in high-profile matchups.

Injury reports are minimal heading into tip-off: Cleveland lists Thomas Sorber (knee) as out, while OKC has Ajay Mitchell questionable. Both teams are otherwise healthy, setting up a full-strength battle.

Head-to-Head Context

This is the second meeting of the season. OKC won the first contest on January 19, 2026, 136-104 in Cleveland, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points. The Thunder controlled that game from start to finish, exploiting Cleveland’s interior defense.

Revenge is on the line for the Cavaliers, who seek to prove their seven-game streak is no fluke against a top contender. For OKC, a win would reinforce their status as championship contenders.

How to Follow Live Updates

• Real-time scores and play-by-play: NBA.com, ESPN app, CBS Sports app
• Highlights and post-game analysis: NBA YouTube, ESPN, local sports networks
• Social media: Follow @cavs, @okcthunder, #CavsThunder for clips and reactions

The 1 p.m. ET start time makes this an early-afternoon showdown, ideal for national audiences. With ABC’s coverage, expect pre-game shows highlighting the matchup’s stakes — two young cores, elite defenses and MVP candidates.

Tune in or stream to see if Cleveland can pull off the road upset or if OKC extends its home dominance. This game could shape narratives in both conferences as the 2025-26 season heads toward the playoffs.