Mexico was gripped by violence Monday, with schools closed and roads blocked as members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) unleashed a wave of retaliation following the death of their leader, Nemesio Oseguera.

Oseguera, who had a $15 million US bounty on his head, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, and died during transport to Mexico City, according to the Mexican army. His death triggered a violent response from cartel members across the country.

Residents in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, described empty streets as stores, pharmacies, and gas stations shut down. Maria Medina, a worker at a gas station that was set on fire, said armed men told everyone to leave. ‘I thought they were going to kidnap us,’ she told AFP. ‘I ran to a taco stand to take cover with the people there.’

The violence spread to Michoacan and reached the tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta. Travel advisories were issued by the UK, Canada, and the US, with the US government advising citizens to ‘shelter in place’ until further notice. Dozens of flights were canceled as the situation escalated.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens to remain calm, while experts warned that the absence of a clear successor to Oseguera could lead to a power vacuum and further violence. ‘That opens the door to violent realignments within the organization,’ said David Mora, an analyst with the Crisis Group.

The operation that led to Oseguera’s death involved intelligence support from the United States, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The Mexican military reported that six cartel members and three soldiers were killed, and two suspects were arrested. Weapons including rocket launchers were seized.

Jalisco state has canceled all large public events ahead of the World Cup, as the cartel’s influence continues to grow. Oseguera was a founding member of CJNG, formed in 2009, and is considered one of the most violent cartels in Mexico, surpassing the Sinaloa cartel.

Guatemala announced it would reinforce sections of its border with Mexico, citing recent cross-border incursions by criminal groups. The US has classified CJNG as a terrorist organization and accused it of trafficking drugs into the United States.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised the operation, calling Oseguera ‘one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.’ The raid comes amid pressure from President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on Mexican exports unless Mexico takes stronger action against the drug trade.