The Embassy of India in Mexico has recommended "shelter in place" for all Indian nationals under a high priority safety alert in the wake of a violent outbreak of cartel-led violence. The maelstrom is a reflection of the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious drug lord who went by “El Mencho,” killed during a high-stakes military operation on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Gunfight and retaliatory arson, “narcoblockades” and urban fighting in several Mexican states have erupted as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader was killed.
Indian Embassy Sounds the alarm: “Ongoing Criminal Activity”
A message issued by the Indian Mission on social networks and on official channels on Monday expressed serious alarm at the growing security danger. The warning pointed to some areas where Indian citizens are advised to stay indoors until further notice. These include Jalisco State (notably Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Chapala), Tamaulipas (Reynosa), as well as large areas of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León.
The Embassy’s recommendation was evident: “Stay away from areas of law enforcement presence, know the scene, and limit unnecessary movements away from your shelter.” The mission has made an emergency helpline (for those caught in the affected zones) number (+52 55 4847 7539) available and has given citizens the option to monitor local media 24/7. The advisory also advised Indians to update their families and friends about their safety through social media or messaging applications to prevent misinformation.
Violence Sweeps Across Mexico
The unrest started nearly immediately after the Mexican Defense Ministry had announced that El Mencho had died from wounds in a raid in the Mexican town of Tapalpa. In a desperate bid to protect themselves from the attacks, cartel gangmen hijacked buses and freight trucks and torched them which subsequently blocked major transit routes. In Guadalajara, the news was especially harrowing as travelers to the international airport were reported ducking for cover while gunfire broke out nearby.
The violence had not restricted itself to the streets either; there have been reports of arson attacks on convenience stores and gas stations in Guanajuato and Colima. The Mexican government has deployed the National Guard under President Claudia Sheinbaum to restore safety, but things have remained extremely volatile.
Security analysts say the violence has two parts: an immediate revenge against the state and the start of a “war of succession” within the CJNG, as rival factions within the federation fight for control. Global Impact and Support. El Mencho’s death comes as a notable win for the Trump administration that had recently pinpointed the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization.
US intelligence, it went on to say, was critical to the operation, which rounded up a man who had brought billions of dollars of fentanyl into the United States. But there has been a swift reckoning on the ground in the shape of a paralysis of many Mexican states – with flight cancellations by big international airlines and the shuttering of schools and businesses. As part of this “Code Red” period, the Indian Embassy and local Mexican authorities will continue to coordinate to enhance safety and security for the Indian diaspora.
