Immediate Aftermath and ViolenceFollowing the announcement of his death, widespread unrest exploded across several states. Cartel members reportedly lit vehicles on fire, set up road blockades, and engaged in clashes with security forces across Jalisco and neighboring regions — a common tactic used by cartel operatives to disrupt government responses.
Airlines temporarily canceled flights in and out of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta due to security concerns, while schools and businesses briefly shut down. Alerts were issued by foreign governments for citizens to take shelter.

El Mencho founded the CJNG in the early 2000s after rising through criminal networks following years as a police officer and small-scale operator. Over time, CJNG became one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations, trafficking drugs such as cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into the United States and other countries.
For many years, El Mencho successfully avoided capture, cultivating a reputation for secrecy and brutal tactics. The FBI and Mexican authorities considered him one of the top cartel bosses in the global drug trade.

His death is significant for several reasons:

• It represents a blow to a powerful cartel hierarchy.
• It potentially creates power vacuums that could intensify violence as factions compete for control.
• It signals growing pressure by Mexican security forces, sometimes with intelligence support from the United States.

A Brief History of Cartels in Mexico

To understand why news about El Mencho matters, it helps to look at how cartels evolved in Mexico.

Origins of Cartel Violence

The rise of drug trafficking organizations in Mexico accelerated in the late 20th century as U.S. demand for illegal drugs increased and authorities cracked down on trafficking routes in other regions. Various groups — like the Sinaloa Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and later the CJNG — expanded territorial control, becoming deeply embedded in local economies and politics.
Over decades, the Mexican government has struggled to dismantle cartel networks. Many cartels diversified their operations from simple drug trafficking into:

• extortion
• kidnapping
• human trafficking
• control of transport routes

The result has been a long, complex conflict between criminal groups and the state — often defined as the Mexican Drug War.

How Cartels Coexist with the Government and Society

Cartels and the Mexican government have an uneasy and often violent relationship. While authorities conduct operations to detain leaders and disrupt criminal activity, cartels respond with strategic brutality:

• attacking police and soldiers
• intimidating civilians
• using corruption to infiltrate institutions

For many residents in cartel-controlled areas, life can involve fear and negotiation. Some communities depend economically on informal cartel payments or are trapped in areas where government services are limited. Others live with constant threats of violence or displacement.

According to recent reports, cartel reprisals following major operations can disrupt entire regions, causing temporary shutdowns, travel interruptions, and civilian distress.

How Dangerous Is Mexico?

Safety in Mexico varies widely by region. Urban centers like Mexico City, Mérida, and many tourist destinations can be relatively safe with normal precautions. However, areas near cartel strongholds — such as parts of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas — continue to experience higher levels of crime and security incidents tied to organized crime.
International advisories often recommend that travelers exercise increased caution, stay informed of local alerts, and avoid known conflict zones.

What Locals Are Feeling

Reactions among Mexicans are mixed:

• Many have welcomed El Mencho’s death as a victory in the fight against mafia power.
• Others fear escalation of violence as gangs retaliate or splinter.
• Some communities express frustration that cartel influence persists despite government efforts.

The emotional and societal toll is real — families living in conflict zones have faced loss, displacement, and trauma over decades of ongoing drug-related violence.

Spanish Vocabulary & Mexican Slang

As a language school working with native Spanish speakers from Mexico, we believe that understanding real news also means understanding the language people actually use.

When events like the operation in Tapalpa or security alerts in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta happen, the media and locals often use very specific vocabulary. Let’s break it down.
Essential News Vocabulary in SpanishHere are key words you’ll see in Mexican headlines:

• El narcotraficante – drug trafficker
• El líder del cártel – cartel leader
• El enfrentamiento – armed clash
• Las fuerzas armadas – armed forces
• Operativo militar – military operation
• Orden de captura – arrest warrant
• Recompensa – reward
• Bloqueos carreteros – road blockades
• Quema de vehículos – vehicle burning
• Zona de riesgo – high-risk area
• Cártel rival – rival cartel

For example, a Mexican news headline might read:
“Tras el enfrentamiento con las fuerzas armadas, el líder del cártel fue abatido.”
(“After the clash with the armed forces, the cartel leader was killed.”)

Mexican Slang You Might HearIn informal conversations, locals often avoid directly naming criminal figures. Instead, they use slang or indirect expressions:

• “La maña” – slang for organized crime
• “Los malos” – “the bad guys”
• “Está caliente la zona” – the area is dangerous right now
• “Se puso feo” – things got ugly (violence escalated)
• “Hay movimiento” – there’s unusual activity (often implying cartel presence)
• “Levantón” – kidnapping
• “Plaza” – territory controlled by a cartel

For instance, someone might say:
“Mejor no salgas hoy, la zona está caliente.”
(“Better don’t go out today, the area is dangerous.”)
Understanding these expressions is crucial because they rarely appear in textbooks — but they are widely used in real conversations.

Learn Spanish with Native Speakers — Try a Free Lesson!

Understanding what’s happening in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries enriches your world perspective — especially if you’re learning the language.

At Native Speakers Courses, we offer free trial lessons with certified native Spanish speakers from Mexico. Improve your Spanish, ask questions about Mexican culture, and engage with real-world topics like today’s news in a safe and supportive environment.

👉 Book your free trial lesson now and start speaking like a native!