Prison Break Amid Cartel Violence in Puerto Vallarta
Police in Mexico are actively searching for 23 inmates who escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta during a series of violent attacks carried out by the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel (CJNG) on Sunday.
Puerto Vallarta, a popular beach resort located on Mexico's Pacific coast, was one of the towns affected by the CJNG's actions, which included blockading roads and setting vehicles on fire. These attacks were reportedly in retaliation for the killing of their leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," by security forces.
During the unrest, armed assailants used a car to ram one of the prison gates, facilitating the escape of 23 prisoners, according to an official source.
The wave of violence following El Mencho's death resulted in more than 70 fatalities, including 25 members of the National Guard.
Efforts to Capture Fugitives
Juan Pablo Hernández, the security secretary for the state of Jalisco, stated that his office is collaborating with authorities in other states to apprehend the escaped inmates.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the prisoners who fled the facility.
Cartel Attacks and Public Safety Measures
On Sunday, cartel members set several vehicles ablaze across Puerto Vallarta. Residents and tourists were advised to remain indoors and avoid venturing outside. Video footage shared by witnesses showed thick black smoke rising over the resort area.
In response to the unrest, several airlines temporarily suspended flights, and at least two major cruise lines announced that their ships would bypass scheduled stops in Puerto Vallarta.
By Monday, the Mexican government reported that most of the roadblocks established by cartel members had been removed.
However, according to El Universal newspaper, in Morelia—the birthplace of El Mencho—armed groups continued to instill fear by torching vehicles and vandalizing shops and public buildings on Monday.
Background on El Mencho and CJNG
El Mencho was considered Mexico's most wanted individual. Under his command, the CJNG evolved into a powerful transnational criminal organization, expanding from its base in Jalisco into numerous other Mexican states. The cartel is involved in drug production and trafficking and is known for its extreme violence, having conducted several high-profile attacks against security forces and government officials.
The Trump administration described El Mencho as a
"top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland"and offered a $15 million (approximately £11.1 million) reward for information leading to his capture.
Capture and Death of El Mencho
Mexican security forces captured El Mencho on Sunday in the town of Tapalpa, located in Jalisco state.
Mexico's defence minister revealed that authorities were able to locate him by tracking one of his
"romantic partners".
El Mencho died shortly after his capture due to injuries sustained during the firefight between his security guards and Mexico's special forces who were sent to arrest him.
