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They escaped amid the chaos that erupted after the killing of "El Mencho"/ 23 prisoners wanted in Mexico

2026-02-24 17:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

They escaped amid the chaos that erupted after the killing of "El

A major operation by Mexican authorities to capture 23 prisoners who escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, began Tuesday morning, amid chaos sparked by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Puerto Vallarta, a beach resort on Mexico's Pacific coast, was among the cities where the CJGN blocked roads and burned cars in revenge for the military's killing of their leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."

During the riot, armed men rammed a car through one of the prison gates, allowing 23 prisoners to escape. More than 70 people, including 25 members of the National Guard, were killed in the operation to capture "El Mencho" and the violence that followed.

Juan Pablo Hernández, the security secretary for the state of Jalisco, said his office was working with other states to catch the escapees. Officials have not yet released details on the identities of the escaped prisoners. Tourists and locals were urged to seek shelter and stay indoors, as footage showed black clouds of smoke rising over the popular beach resort.

A number of airlines temporarily suspended flights and at least two major cruise lines said their ships would cancel scheduled stops in Puerto Vallarta. The Mexican government said Monday that most of the roadblocks set up by cartel members had been cleared.

"El Mencho" was Mexico's most wanted man. Under his leadership, the CJGN became a powerful transnational criminal organization that spread from its stronghold in the state of Jalisco to many other Mexican states, where it engaged in drug production and trafficking.

The Trump administration had described "El Mencho" as a prime target for the Mexican and US governments as one of the top fentanyl traffickers in the US and had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.

The drug lord was captured by Mexican security forces in the city of Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco, on Sunday. He died from wounds sustained in a shootout that broke out between his security guards and Mexican special forces sent to arrest him. /CNA





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