What’s happening in Mexico? Who was El Mencho - as Brits warned to stay inside after drug lord killing
Violence has erupted across several regions of Mexico after one of the country's most notorious drug lords was killed by the army.
"El Mencho" - Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes - was boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He was injured during a mission to capture him in Tapalpa, Jalisco state, on Sunday and later died while being flown to Mexico City.
The US embassy said on X that Mexican special forces had carried out the operation "within the framework of bilateral cooperation, with US authorities providing complementary intelligence". "El Mencho" led a network that is notorious for trafficking drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine to the US, as well as regularly carrying out brazen attacks against Mexican state forces.
America had offered a $15m reward for his arrest. Cartel members responded to his death with violence across the country, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles - prompting President Claudia Sheinbaum to urge calm.
A member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which was headed by "El Mencho", told Reuters that the fires and sporadic gunfire seen in the violence across Mexico were in revenge for his killing. They also warned of further bloodshed as groups move in to take control of the cartel.
The Foreign Office is urging Britons in Mexico to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as violence surges in the country. In updated travel advice issued this morning, it warned: "Serious security incidents have been reported on 22 February across the state of Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, following a federal law-enforcement operation against organised crime in the municipality of Tapalpa.
"Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have issued a public advisory to stay indoors. Routes to airports may be blocked. You should exercise extreme caution, follow local authorities' advice, including orders to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel in affected areas."
Britons are advised to keep an eye on local media and following guidance from local authorities. "If you do decide to travel, we recommend intercity road travel during daylight hours," the official advice read. The US embassy in Mexico has also urged Americans to "shelter in place".