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.

LONDON — Arsenal delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday, February 22, 2026, handing their fierce rivals one of their heaviest home defeats in recent memory and strengthening the Gunners’ grip on a top-four Premier League finish.

The result at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw Arsenal dominate from the opening whistle, with goals from Bukayo Saka (2), Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli overwhelming Spurs’ defense. Son Heung-min scored a late consolation for Tottenham, but the damage was done long before, with Arsenal’s clinical finishing and midfield control proving decisive.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his side’s intensity after the match. “We came here with a clear plan, executed it perfectly and showed our quality in big moments,” he said. “This is what we demand from ourselves in these fixtures.”

Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason, still searching for consistency after Ange Postecoglou’s departure, admitted the performance fell short. “We didn’t match their energy or discipline,” he conceded. “Arsenal were ruthless, and we paid the price.”

**Match Breakdown and Key Moments**

Arsenal took the lead in the 18th minute when Saka cut inside from the right and curled a low shot beyond Guglielmo Vicario after a quick one-two with Ødegaard. The Gunners doubled their advantage just before halftime when Ødegaard latched onto a loose ball in midfield, drove forward and finished calmly past Vicario.

The second half brought more punishment. Martinelli made it 3-0 in the 58th minute, slotting home after Declan Rice’s through ball split Tottenham’s backline. Saka added his second and Arsenal’s fourth in the 72nd minute, rifling a shot into the top corner after Declan Rice won possession high up the pitch.

Son pulled one back for Spurs in the 81st minute with a composed finish from inside the box, but it proved mere consolation in a one-sided affair.

**Team News and Tactical Notes**

Arsenal were without several key players due to minor injuries and rotation, but their depth shone. Thomas Partey anchored midfield, allowing Rice and Ødegaard freedom to create, while Saka and Martinelli exploited Tottenham’s high line. The Gunners’ pressing was relentless, forcing turnovers and limiting Spurs to long-range efforts.

Tottenham started with Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson wide, but lacked cohesion. James Maddison struggled to influence the game, and the defense — featuring Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven — was exposed by Arsenal’s pace and movement.

**Standings Impact and Rivalry Context**

The victory moved Arsenal into third place with 52 points from 26 matches, three points clear of Manchester United and five ahead of Tottenham, who slipped to eighth. The result widened the gap in the North London rivalry, with Arsenal winning four of the last five meetings and remaining unbeaten in their last six derbies (W4 D2).

Arsenal’s dominance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continued — they have not lost there since 2018 — reinforcing their psychological edge in recent seasons.

**Player Ratings and Post-Match Reaction**

Saka earned man-of-the-match honors with two goals and constant danger. Ødegaard controlled the tempo, while Rice and Partey dominated midfield battles. For Tottenham, Son was the lone bright spot, but the defense struggled to contain Arsenal’s attack.

Social media erupted with Arsenal fans celebrating the “4-1 demolition,” while Tottenham supporters expressed frustration over defensive lapses and lack of fight. Memes and highlight clips of Saka’s goals and Martinelli’s finish spread rapidly online.

**What’s Next**

Arsenal host Manchester City in their next league match, a pivotal fixture in the title race. Tottenham travel to face Newcastle United, desperate to regain momentum.

The 4-1 scoreline serves as a statement result for Arsenal in a season where consistency has been their hallmark. For Tottenham, the heavy defeat underscores ongoing issues under interim management and fuels calls for a permanent solution ahead of the summer window.

CUPERTINO, California — Apple is preparing one of its most significant iPhone transitions in years with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, expected to debut in September 2026 alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone. While the standard iPhone 18 and a low-cost iPhone 18e model may not arrive until spring 2027, the Pro duo is poised to headline Apple’s traditional fall event, bringing substantial upgrades in performance, camera capabilities, battery life and design.

Reliable analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo, Jeff Pu of GF Securities and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have converged on a September 2026 timeline for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This aligns with Apple’s long-standing pattern of unveiling flagship models in early-to-mid September, typically followed by availability later that month. The 2026 launch is anticipated around September 9-10 for the announcement, with pre-orders opening immediately and sales starting September 18-19.

The split rollout strategy marks a departure from Apple’s usual annual cycle. Reports indicate the company will prioritize the higher-end Pro models and foldable in fall 2026, pushing the base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e to February or March 2027. This phased approach allows Apple to stagger production, address supply chain demands for the foldable and maximize hype around premium devices amid competition from Android foldables and AI-focused rivals.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process for improved efficiency, speed and AI performance. This silicon promises better thermal management and power optimization compared to the A19 series in the iPhone 17 lineup. Paired with increased RAM (potentially 12GB or higher), the devices should handle demanding tasks like on-device generative AI, advanced Apple Intelligence features and multitasking seamlessly.

Battery life stands out as a major upgrade. Leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could reach a record 5,200 mAh capacity — the largest ever in an iPhone — enabled by a slightly thicker chassis. This addresses longstanding complaints about endurance on Pro models, especially for users relying on high-refresh-rate displays and intensive camera use. Combined with the efficient 2nm chip and potential software optimizations in iOS 20 (expected fall 2026), the Pro Max could deliver all-day or multi-day battery performance even under heavy loads.

Camera advancements include a 48-megapixel main sensor with variable aperture control, allowing users to adjust depth of field and light intake dynamically — a first for iPhone. This feature enhances low-light performance, portrait modes and creative control, building on the iPhone 17 Pro’s computational photography. Additional upgrades may involve improved ultrawide and telephoto lenses, better stabilization and enhanced AI processing for features like real-time editing and object removal.

Design rumors point to a refined look with thinner bezels, a cleaner rear camera module and possibly under-display Face ID on the Pro models — eliminating the Dynamic Island notch entirely. Apple is reportedly testing a “deep red” color option for the iPhone 18 Pro, alongside traditional blacks, whites and natural titanium finishes. The all-aluminum unibody introduced in the iPhone 17 Pro series carries over, offering more color flexibility and durability.

Connectivity improvements include a custom C2 modem for faster 5G/6G readiness and enhanced satellite features, potentially adding always-on messaging, emergency SOS expansions and integration with maps or photos in remote areas. These build on existing satellite capabilities while addressing global coverage gaps.

Pricing is expected to remain consistent with recent Pro models, starting around $1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,399 for the Pro Max in the U.S., though storage upgrades and potential feature premiums could push higher-end configurations higher. In markets like India, the iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to start near Rs 1,34,900, with the Pro Max closer to Rs 1,54,900.

The September 2026 launch will likely feature a major keynote focusing on AI advancements, the foldable debut and Pro model refinements. Pre-orders typically sell out quickly for high-storage variants, so early preparation is advised.

As Apple refines its roadmap amid competition from Samsung, Google and Chinese brands, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max represent a bridge to the company’s 20th-anniversary redesign in 2027. With powerful silicon, massive batteries, innovative cameras and a potential foldable companion, the 2026 Pro lineup aims to maintain Apple’s premium dominance.

Stay tuned to Apple announcements expected in early September 2026 for official confirmation.

MEXICO CITY — Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday, February 21, 2026, according to multiple government sources and Mexican media reports.

The 59-year-old Oseguera, one of the world’s most wanted drug lords, was gunned down in a targeted raid in the mountainous region near Tapalpa, a small town in Jalisco where the CJNG was founded and remains deeply entrenched. A federal official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operation, confirmed the death to several outlets including Reuters, CNN and El País. The Mexican Defense Ministry and Attorney General’s office have not yet issued an official statement, but local newspapers and government insiders cited by EL PAÍS and The Guardian reported the killing occurred during a clash with troops.

Oseguera had evaded capture for more than a decade, operating from hidden mountain strongholds while directing the CJNG’s expansion into fentanyl trafficking, methamphetamine production and extortion across Mexico and into the United States. The cartel, formed in 2010 from a splinter of the Sinaloa Cartel, grew into Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal group, surpassing rivals through aggressive tactics, corruption of officials and control of key ports like Manzanillo.

The U.S. State Department had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest, one of the highest bounties ever placed on a drug trafficker. Mexico’s government offered 300 million pesos (about $15 million). Oseguera was indicted in the U.S. on charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and murder, with federal prosecutors in Chicago and Washington labeling him a top priority.

His death comes amid heightened U.S.-Mexico tensions over fentanyl flows and cartel violence. President Trump has repeatedly threatened military strikes inside Mexico and designated several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, increasing pressure on the Mexican government to act decisively. The operation may ease some bilateral friction, though experts warn it could spark violent succession battles within the CJNG, potentially escalating turf wars in Jalisco, Michoacán and Guanajuato.

Oseguera, born July 17, 1966, in Aguililla, Michoacán, began his criminal career in the 1990s as a police officer before joining the Milenio Cartel. He rose through the ranks after the group fragmented, founding the CJNG with his brother-in-law and cousins. Known for his low profile — rarely photographed and avoiding public appearances — he was dubbed “El Señor” or “El Mencho” (a nickname derived from “menchito,” meaning little mango). He was protected by layers of sicarios, encrypted communications and corrupt officials.

The CJNG under his command was responsible for thousands of homicides, mass graves and attacks on security forces. The cartel pioneered extreme violence, including public executions and attacks on military convoys, while dominating fentanyl precursor chemical imports from China.

If confirmed, Oseguera’s killing represents a major victory for President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, which has emphasized intelligence-led operations over direct confrontation. However, experts caution that decapitation strategies rarely dismantle cartels long-term, often leading to fragmentation and increased violence as factions vie for control.

The operation unfolded in Tapalpa, a rural area in southern Jalisco, where Oseguera reportedly maintained safe houses. Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro posted on social media urging residents to stay indoors during the action, signaling a significant military deployment. Details on casualties or whether other cartel members were killed remain limited, with authorities withholding full information pending forensic confirmation.

Reactions poured in quickly. U.S. officials expressed cautious optimism, with one source telling Reuters the death could disrupt CJNG supply chains. Mexican security analysts noted the timing aligns with intensified pressure from Washington and domestic demands to curb cartel influence.

Oseguera’s demise leaves a power vacuum in one of Mexico’s most dangerous criminal organizations. Potential successors include family members or top lieutenants, but internal rivalries could trigger bloodshed similar to past leadership transitions.

As investigations continue and the government prepares an official announcement, the killing of “El Mencho” marks a pivotal moment in Mexico’s long war against drug cartels — one that may shift dynamics but is unlikely to end the violence.