A person watches from their window as soldiers guard a street days after a series of blockades and attacks by organized crime following a military operation in which cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," was killed, on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta, in Ixtapa, Mexico, February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

President Trump has demanded President Claudia Sheinbaum confront the cartels. The killing of El Mencho suggests it might be working — but could come at a cost.

Sunday's killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," triggered roadblocks and unrest across western Mexico.

The violence that followed the killing of a cartel leader in Mexico is fueling fears that the bloodshed could hurt tourism ahead of the FIFA World Cup later this year.

"El Mencho," the powerful drug lord the Mexican army killed in a daring raid Sunday, had created what security experts say was one of the most advanced security operations devised to protect a cartel boss. His system relied on high-powered weaponry, nearly 400 gunmen, bomb-delivering drones and, sometimes, landmines.

MEXICO CITY, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday she is considering legal action following a comment by tech billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, that alleged she was connected to drug cartels.

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has repeatedly criticised the so-called kingpin strategy in the past, on the grounds that it sets off more bloodshed. The problem is that removing gang leaders tends to cause their organisation to splinter,

Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum responds to World Cup venue concerns: "All guarantees" for safety in Mexico amid recent violence.