The killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, the 59-year-old founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, has ignited widespread violence across Mexico. Authorities report that disorder has erupted in at least 20 of the country’s 31 states following the operation that eliminated the cartel’s most wanted figure, raising concerns that his death could trigger a “total war” among rival criminal organizations.

The aftermath has been chilling, with images and reports showing scorched buildings, torched vehicles, and heavily armed confrontations in urban centers. Experts warn that the power vacuum left by Oseguera Cervantes could lead to intensified cartel conflicts, further destabilizing communities and threatening public safety across Mexico, America’s largest trading partner and a key destination for tourism.

Authorities are coordinating federal and state responses to quell the violence, deploying security forces to high-risk areas and increasing patrols along critical trade and transport routes. Analysts note that while the removal of a cartel leader is a tactical victory, it often comes with a short-term surge in retaliatory attacks as factions compete to assert dominance. The current situation underscores the persistent challenge posed by organized crime and the complex dynamics of cartel-driven violence in Mexico.