Five days after drug cartel foot soldiers brought Jalisco to a standstill, life is returning to normal.
Governor Pablo Lemus lifted the Código Rojo alert on Tuesday, February 24, following the stabilization of security conditions. Most businesses have now reopened, and students returned to classrooms on Wednesday, February 25, after a two-day suspension of in-person classes across all educational levels.
Meanwhile, crews continue clearing city avenues and state highways of the burned-out wreckage of buses and vehicles torched during Sunday’s rampage in response to the federal operation that killed 59-year-old CJNG leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes in Tapalpa. As of press time, some reports of isolated violent incidents in the southern provinces of the state and in Nayarit were still being received.
The violence that erupted on Sunday, February 22 stunned residents and visitors alike. In retaliation for the military strike against El Mencho, his foot soldiers unleashed coordinated chaos across 20 states, with Jalisco bearing the brunt. Groups of three to four gunmen pulled drivers and passengers from their cars and buses — civilians were fortunately unharmed — before setting the vehicles ablaze.
At least 500 separate incidents of arson were reported, which included the torching of convenience stores, gas stations and pharmacies in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, Ciudad Guzman, and along major highways. In multiple clashes with federal forces, more than 70 people lost their lives, including 25 National Guard members and an estimated 46 suspected cartel members, according to federal authorities. Around 70 arrests were made, including 19 looters.
Sunday chaos
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