Following El Mencho’s death, Mexican bishops urge citizens to remain calm, pray for peace, and follow safety advice amid violent cartel reprisals.
Newsroom (23/02/2026 Gaudium Press ) As violence swept across several Mexican states after the military killing of powerful cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes—known as “El Mencho”—Catholic bishops called on the faithful to remain calm, strengthen safety measures, and pray for peace.
In a statement released on February 22 by the Mexican Bishops’ Conference (CEM), church leaders expressed solidarity with citizens facing uncertainty and fear. “We share your concern and invite you to prudence and prayer,” the message read, emphasizing unity and faith in the face of escalating national tension.
The bishops urged Catholics to “strengthen personal and community security measures, take shelter in your homes when necessary, and avoid unnecessary travel, always following the instructions of the civil authorities.” The message, signed by Bishop Ramón Castro Castro of Cuernavaca and Auxiliary Bishop Héctor M. Pérez Villareal of Mexico City, was addressed to “The Pilgrim People of God in Mexico.”
A Nation Shaken by Violence
Hours earlier, Mexican military officers had carried out an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco—a mountainous area in central-western Mexico—in an attempt to capture Oseguera Cervantes, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The cartel, infamous for its ruthless tactics and control over fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine trafficking to the United States, has long been regarded as the most powerful criminal organization in Mexico.
According to reports from the Associated Press, a shootout erupted during the operation, claiming four lives. Three others, including Oseguera himself, were injured and later died from their wounds. In the ensuing hours, violence flared across half a dozen states as gunmen set fire to vehicles and businesses, blocked major roads, and clashed with police. In the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, commercial flights were suspended as residents and tourists sheltered in place amid the chaos.
Reuters further reported that gunmen attacked a National Guard base in Jalisco in what appeared to be coordinated acts of revenge. One cartel member, speaking anonymously to reporters, confirmed that the attacks were retaliation for Oseguera’s death and warned that more violence could follow as rival factions vie for control of CJNG operations.
International Response and Faithful Resolve
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that the United States had provided intelligence support to Mexico in the military operation leading to Oseguera’s death. The development signaled renewed cross-border cooperation in efforts to dismantle the CJNG’s narcotics network.
Amid the fear and uncertainty, Mexico’s bishops placed their pastoral emphasis on unity, urging believers to “intensify their prayer for the peace that our nation so greatly needs.” They called on Catholics to renew their commitment to reconciliation and fraternity, echoing Pope Francis’ frequent appeals for dialogue and social healing in regions stricken by violence.
Seeking Peace Under the Mantle of Mary
In closing, the bishops invoked Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patroness, as a symbol of hope and protection. “May she cover us with her mantle, protect our families, and help us build paths of justice, peace, and hope,” their message read. They prayed that “the Lord strengthen us and grant us to live through these moments united, with prudence, solidarity, and faith.”
As Mexico braces for potential aftershocks from the death of one of its most powerful cartel leaders, church leaders remain steadfast in their call for peace over vengeance and prayer over panic—urging citizens to find safety in faith while the nation endures yet another test of its resilience.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from OSV News
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