Mexico PM LIVE• Feb 24, 2026• 11:54:58Interview

Mexico PM LIVE | Sheinbaum Holds Press Conference After El Mencho Killing | Mexico News | US Aid

From Mexico PM LIVE

Claudia Sheinbaum•President of Mexico

Executive Summary

Mexican special forces conducted a successful, sovereign operation neutralizing top cartel leader 'El Mencho' and his chief financial operator, 'El Tuli', based on a combination of Mexican and U.S.
intelligence.
The operation triggered a massive, coordinated wave of retaliatory violence by the cartel across 11 states, including 85 roadblocks and numerous attacks, resulting in dozens of casualties among security forces and criminals.
In response to the widespread violence, the Mexican government is deploying an additional 2,500 military personnel to Jalisco to reinforce the 7,000 already stationed there and restore order.
The incident highlights the complex dynamics of the U.S.-Mexico security partnership, emphasizing Mexican operational sovereignty while underscoring the persistent issue of U.S.-origin firearms (80% of seizures) fueling cartel capabilities.

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Concerns Raised

The cartel's ability to launch widespread, coordinated retaliatory attacks across 11 states, indicating deep operational capacity.
The high number of casualties among security forces, with 25 National Guard members killed in Jalisco alone.
The continued flow of high-powered, U.S.-origin firearms and military-grade weapons like RPGs to criminal organizations.

Opportunities Identified

Significant disruption of a major cartel's leadership and financial structures following the neutralization of 'El Mencho' and 'El Tuli'.
Strengthened intelligence and operational coordination between different branches of the Mexican federal forces.
Potential to leverage the tactical success to enhance future security cooperation with the U.S. based on the established principles of shared intelligence and Mexican sovereignty.

Key Themes

Cartel Retaliatory Capacity

The neutralization of a high-value target, 'El Mencho', did not immediately cripple his organization. Instead, it demonstrated the cartel's significant capacity for a rapid, widespread, and violent response across 11 states, including coordinated roadblocks and deadly attacks against security forces.

This underscores the decentralized and resilient nature of modern cartels, showing that decapitation strategies can trigger severe short-term instability and pose a significant threat to public security and state control.

US-Mexico Security Cooperation and Sovereignty

The operation was a product of bilateral intelligence sharing, with the U.S. providing key information. However, Mexican officials stressed that the planning and execution were entirely sovereign, reflecting a partnership model based on shared responsibility and mutual respect.

This illustrates the delicate balance in cross-border security efforts, where Mexico leverages U.S. intelligence capabilities while asserting its operational independence to avoid perceptions of foreign intervention.

Militarization of Internal Security

The Mexican government deployed a sophisticated, multi-component special forces operation involving ground troops, air assets, and the National Guard. The violent aftermath required a further surge of 2,500 military personnel to Jalisco, demonstrating the significant state resources required to confront powerful criminal organizations.

This highlights the state's reliance on military force to combat internal security threats and the degree to which cartels operate as para-military entities, capable of engaging in high-intensity conflict.

The Illicit Arms Trade

The operation seized advanced weaponry, including a Russian-made RPG previously used to down a military helicopter. The discussion also highlighted that 80% of firearms seized by the current administration are of U.S. origin, a critical factor enabling cartel violence.

This demonstrates the high level of armament available to cartels, which allows them to directly challenge the state, and points to the cross-border flow of weapons from the U.S. as a key driver of the conflict.

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Topics

Mexico Jalisco Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)El Mencho Counter-narcotics Military operation Special forces US-Mexico relations Security cooperation Intelligence sharing Arms trafficking Organized crime Internal security Retaliatory violence National Guard (Mexico)

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