TAPALPA, Mexico — Escalating violence linked to cartel operations in western Mexico has sparked concern among residents and tourism-dependent communities just months before the country hosts matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In the mountain town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, 50-year-old shop owner Maria Dolores Aguirre fears the recent bloodshed could devastate local livelihoods. Her family’s corner store, operating for five decades, has long relied on steady tourism drawn to the town’s cobblestoned charm.
That sense of security was shattered when gunfire erupted and military helicopters hovered overhead during an operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
“It’s going to affect us. It’s collateral damage,” Aguirre said. “The government is going to have to have a lot of security. … The entire world just saw what happened and, of course, people are going to think twice about coming.”
Authorities said more than 70 people were killed during the operation to capture Oseguera Cervantes and in subsequent clashes. The cartel leader was among the most wanted criminals in Mexico and the United States. The U.S. Department of State had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.
The White House confirmed that U.S. intelligence supported the Mexican military’s operation and praised the outcome. Oseguera Cervantes led one of Mexico’s fastest-growing criminal organizations, accused of trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States and orchestrating high-profile attacks on Mexican officials.
According to Mexican Defense Secretary Gen. Ricardo Trevilla, authorities tracked one of Oseguera Cervantes’ romantic partners to his hideout near Tapalpa. After a firefight in a wooded area, he and two bodyguards were seriously wounded, taken into custody, and later died en route to Mexico City.
The offensive comes amid mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has demanded stronger action against cartels and warned of potential tariffs or unilateral measures if Mexico fails to curb criminal activity. Mexico’s government had hoped the high-profile operation would ease tensions, but uncertainty remains over possible retaliation from cartel factions.
Violence has also unsettled coastal areas, including the Pacific resort city of Puerto Vallarta, where reported reprisals triggered panic among visitors. Some flights were canceled amid security concerns, stranding travelers.
Steve Perkins, 57, was vacationing in Puerto Vallarta with his wife and friends when explosions and plumes of black smoke were visible from their hotel terrace. Their return flight to Oklahoma was canceled, forcing them to delay departure. After more than a decade of annual visits, Perkins said the couple does not plan to return.
“There’s a lot of Americans trapped here,” he said.
Back in Tapalpa, Aguirre’s 15-year-old son saw his classes suspended as tensions lingered. Residents remain uncertain whether the military or cartel elements currently control surrounding areas and whether the violence marks the end of a chapter or the start of renewed infighting.
“If they really did kill this leader, it could be that they fight between each other to win control or see who will lead it,” Aguirre said.
As Mexico prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, communities across Jalisco, from mountain towns to beach resorts and the host city of Guadalajara, face mounting questions about security, stability, and the economic future tied to global tourism.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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