Off The Record Podcast
Off The Record Podcast
February 22, 2026

🚨 BREAKING: War In Mexico - Cartels Launch Massacre - Live Coverage

Quick Read

Following the US-assisted assassination of CJNG cartel leader El Mencho, Mexico plunged into widespread chaos as the cartel launched coordinated, violent retaliatory attacks across multiple states, targeting civilians, infrastructure, and military personnel.
CJNG launched widespread, violent attacks across six Mexican states following the US-assisted killing of their leader, El Mencho.
The cartel targeted civilian infrastructure, airports, and military bases, issuing threats against homes and hotels.
The host critically assessed the Mexican government's unpreparedness and incompetence in handling the immediate aftermath.

Summary

Mexico is experiencing widespread violence and chaos after the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), El Mencho, was eliminated by Mexican authorities with intelligence and assistance from the US military. In immediate retaliation, CJNG members launched coordinated attacks across at least six Mexican states, including Jalisco, Baja California, and Puerto Vallarta. These attacks involved storming airports, setting roadblocks, burning civilian buses and buildings (including a Costco), and targeting military bases. The US Embassy issued a security alert, urging Americans to shelter in place. The cartel issued demands for the return of El Mencho's body and the surrender of all Mexican and US personnel involved in his killing, threatening further escalation against homes and hotels if demands were not met. The host critically frames the Mexican government's response as unprepared and incompetent, particularly criticizing President Claudia Sheinbaum.
This event highlights the severe destabilization of Mexico by powerful cartels, demonstrating their capacity for large-scale, coordinated retaliation against government actions. It underscores the ongoing security challenges for both Mexican citizens and international tourists, impacting the country's economy and stability. The direct involvement of the US in the operation and the cartel's demands against US personnel also signal complex and escalating cross-border security implications.

Takeaways

  • CJNG cartel initiated widespread attacks across six Mexican states, including Jalisco and Baja California, in retaliation for the killing of their leader, El Mencho.
  • The US military provided intelligence and assistance to Mexican forces in the operation that eliminated El Mencho.
  • Cartel attacks targeted civilian airports (Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta), roads, buses, residential buildings, petrol stations, and even a Costco.
  • The US Embassy issued a security alert, advising Americans in affected states to shelter in place.
  • CJNG issued demands for the return of El Mencho's body and the surrender of all Mexican and US personnel involved in his assassination, threatening further attacks on homes and hotels.
  • The host criticized Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for her government's perceived arrogance and unpreparedness for the anticipated cartel retaliation.

Insights

1US-Assisted Elimination of CJNG Leader El Mencho

Mexican authorities, with significant intelligence and assistance from the US military and State Department (which had a $15 million bounty on his head), successfully eliminated El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This operation was a direct strike against one of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations.

The host states, 'Elenro, the leader of CJNG... was uh eliminated by the Mexican authorities with the help of the United States of America.' and later, 'the US military shared information and assisted with their Mexican forces ahead of today's raids which killed a CJNG cartel leader Elmeno.'

2Widespread and Coordinated Cartel Retaliation

Immediately following El Mencho's death, CJNG launched a massive, coordinated retaliation across at least six Mexican states, including Jalisco, Baja California, and Puerto Vallarta. The attacks involved blocking roads, setting vehicles and buildings on fire, and storming critical infrastructure like airports, causing widespread panic and disruption.

The host reports, 'war has now broken out between the cartels and the Mexican government... a lot of videos coming in from six states in Mexico that is currently seeing the troubles.' and details attacks on Guadalajara airport, roadblocks in Baja California, and fires in Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta.

3Targeting of Civilians and Critical Infrastructure

The cartel's retaliation explicitly targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, including airports, buses, residential buildings, petrol stations, and commercial establishments like Costco. This strategy aimed to maximize chaos, instill fear, and pressure the government.

The host mentions 'Mexican civilians are now being targeted by the cartel,' 'members of the cartel storming the airport and attacking innocent civilians,' 'civilian buses and buildings are now being getting destroyed by the narco terrorists,' and 'multiple vehicles have now been set on fire' at Costco.

4CJNG Demands and Escalation Threats

The CJNG issued specific demands to the Mexican government: the immediate release of El Mencho's dead body and the surrender of all Mexican and US personnel responsible for his assassination. They set a deadline, threatening to forcefully attack people's houses and hotels if their demands were not met.

The host details CJNG's demands: 'Number one, release the dead body of Elenro. Okay. Number two, every single person responsible for his elimination... and also anybody from the US military that shared intel with the Mexicans. They also demand every single person to surrender.' and later, 'they will be forcefully going to people's houses and hotels and destroy them at by p.m. if the demands are not met.'

5Critique of Mexican Government's Preparedness

The host strongly criticized the Mexican government, particularly President Claudia Sheinbaum, for being unprepared for the cartel's predictable retaliation. The host framed the government's surprise as a sign of incompetence, contrasting it with the need for internal reform and learning from other countries like El Salvador.

The host states, 'What sort of government that deals with narot terrorists is get is getting surprised that when you take out the leader, a bunch of minions are going to come out and destroy your cities. This was always going to happen.' and 'she's too arrogant to even get actual help.'

Lessons

  • If traveling to Mexico, particularly to states like Jalisco, Baja California, or Tamaulipas, monitor US Embassy security alerts and local news for real-time safety information.
  • Understand that government actions against cartel leaders can trigger immediate and widespread violent retaliation, impacting civilian areas.
  • Recognize the complex interplay of international intelligence (US) and local law enforcement in combating organized crime, and the potential for severe blowback.

Quotes

"

"What sort of government that deals with narot terrorists is get is getting surprised that when you take out the leader, a bunch of minions are going to come out and destroy your cities. This was always going to happen."

Amaya Tusi
"

"If you really want to do something about Mexico and of course something needs to be done because there are a lot of good people living there. There's a lot of tourists that go to the country which helps the economy if you really care you change from within. But she's too arrogant to even get actual help."

Amaya Tusi
"

"The Americans did help with the intel with to the Mexican government as we reported."

Amaya Tusi

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