Twenty-five Mexican soldiers killed in cartel raid operation

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced efforts to restore calm in the country following a government raid that killed one of Mexico’s most-wanted drug trafficking leaders, Nemesio Oseguera, also known as “El Mencho”, of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. During a press conference on Monday, Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch confirmed that 25 members of the National Guard had been killed in clashes with criminal groups in the state of Jalisco.

Sheinbaum stated that conditions have improved and Mexico is experiencing calm after the Sunday raid. The Mexican government has removed all improvised cartel roadblocks set up across 20 states, including those in Jalisco, Michoacan, and other areas affected by the violence.

Garcia Harfuch also reported six incidents of gunfire between National Guard members and criminal suspects in Jalisco, resulting in the deaths of 30 people. Additionally, four more individuals were killed in Michoacan during similar clashes.

In response to the raid, Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla has announced that an additional 2,500 security force members will be deployed to Jalisco to reinforce existing forces. The Mexican government has also sought to reassure travelers, stating that flights to and from Puerto Vallarta airport are expected to resume on Monday or Tuesday.

The US Department of State has confirmed that all airports in Mexico, except Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, are operating normally, with no reported security-related disruptions. The Mexican embassy to the US has also shared social media posts debunking online rumors of attacks on civilians at Guadalajara airport and US tourists being held hostage.

Source: Al Jazeera