Cartel Warfare Creeps Close to California’s Doorstep After El Mencho Raid

Cartel Warfare Creeps Close to California’s Doorstep After El Mencho Raid

We have been following the battle with drug cartels in Mexico closely.

In our last report, my colleague Mary Chastain noted that President Donald Trump’s administration handed Mexico intelligence support to help bring down Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which triggered the current episodes of violence.

I live not far from the Mexico border. In fact, if I don’t make the exit for my archery range, I could easily end up in Tijuana.

So, needless to say, I was a little shocked to read how close the battles have gotten to our southern border.

Cartel warfare has threatened to spill into California as a Mexican border city was engulfed in violence following the killing of a notorious drug kingpin.

Suspected narco-terrorists torched vehicles at the border wall in Tijuana, a stone’s throw from San Diego, set up roadblocks and targeted local businesses on Monday.

Haunting footage showed a major highway that runs parallel to the United States completely shut down while cops cautiously inspected a burning car.

Horrific scenes erupted across Mexico after Jalisco cartel boss Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed during a special forces raid in the mountain town of Tapalpa.

🚨 Tijuana is ON FIRE — literally. Cartels are blocking major roads by torching cars in the streets, turning the city into a war zone just miles from San Diego.
Smoke rising, traffic paralyzed, civilians trapped — this is the cartel retaliation after El Mencho’s killing spilling… pic.twitter.com/ChJtBJIhIa

— Greg Madden (@GregMaddenUSMC) February 24, 2026

Needless to say, these developments have affected tourism… as visitors cut their trips short.

In the aftermath, authorities reported burned cars and blocked highways in Tijuana and across Baja California. Mexico’s National Guard alerted of vehicles set on fire and road closures along highways connecting Tijuana, Mexicali and Ensenada.

Public transportation in Baja California was suspended as a precautionary measure as state, city and federal officials urged the community to remain calm, informed Baja California State officials.

Tourists and commuters described scenes of chaos as violence quickly spread beyond Jalisco. Southern California native Megan Phelps was in Puerto Vallarta when the unrest began and said she saw about a half-dozen fires along the coastline.

In Tijuana, some visitors said they cut their trips short after hearing about the violence.

And while it appears the area around Tijuana is calmer today, I suspect the tourism industry will continue to take hits for quite some time.

And while Mexico’s leader insists the situation is calmer, its citizens aren’t so sure.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has been trying to counter this narrative. In her daily press conference on Monday, she spoke of “peace and tranquillity” returning to much of the nation and praised the response of the security forces.

Meanwhile, convoys of troops and police officers circulate around Guadalajara. They are meant to bring reassurance but, for many residents, add to the sense of unease.

Despite their presence, the streets are emptier than usual – a sign that people fear more violence, both in Guadalajara and in the wider Jalisco state. Most small businesses were shuttered and schools were closed as workers stayed at home, lying low with their families.

And planning for the World Cup Games could be interesting.

Meanwhile, attention is also turning to Guadalajara, which is set to host four matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, along with a playoff event scheduled for next month. Cartel violence on the outskirts of the city — including burned buses and vehicles lining roadways — prompted the postponement of four professional soccer matches this week.

The stadium slated to host World Cup games is roughly 60 miles from where El Mencho was killed. In a statement late Monday, FIFA said it has “full confidence” in its host countries, including Mexico, and is closely monitoring developments.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department “shelter in place” order for Americans in the country has been replaced with a milder “travel advisory”.

Americans no longer need to shelter in place in Mexico.

Shelter-in-place orders have been lifted in the cities where they had remained, according to a Feb. 24 security alert from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico. Additionally, flights have returned to normal in Guadalajara and extra flights are planned for Puerto Vallarta’s airport.

…At one point, large swaths of the country were under shelter-in-place directives, including popular destinations like Cancun, Cozumel and Tijuana.

Mexico would have been far better off if its leaders had poured real energy into promoting its world-class tourist industry while showing zero tolerance for the cartels. Its leaders now appear to be downplaying the violence that now scorches highways, shutters businesses, and worries World Cup planners.

Hopefully, I won’t miss my exit any time soon.

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