• Retaliatory violence following the killing of cartel leader El Mencho has left at least 55 dead.
• Cartels are using fake news to amplify fear and create chaos after El Mencho's death.
• The Mexican government reports significant roadblocks and public disorder in key cities like Guadalajara.
• Experts warn that retaliation from cartels could indicate the start of a new wave of violence in the region.
• Authorities remain vigilant as violence disrupts travel and tourism, particularly in tourist hotspots.

Following the assassination of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), at least 55 people have died, including 25 security officers. This killing triggered retaliatory attacks that spread across 16 states, causing multiple roadblocks and violence in cities like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, which are popular tourist destinations, according to aa and latinamericareports.

The violence included the establishment of approximately 250 roadblocks across 20 states and chaotic scenes where video footage captured burning buses and streets. Travel disruptions were significant, with flights canceled and tourists stranded in local zoos while authorities scrambled to restore order, as detailed by aa and reuters.

Mexican authorities are actively working to combat the misinformation that has surged alongside the violence. After El Mencho's killing, social media narratives exaggerated the outbreak of violence, including false reports about airports being overtaken and significant destruction in various cities. Experts noted that cartels often use such disinformation to project power and instill fear, as highlighted by reuters and latinamericareports.

This retaliatory violence is characteristic of the patterns seen in previous high-profile cartel incidents, drawing parallels to events following the capture of other cartel leaders, which not only affected security but also incurred economic costs through tourism disruptions. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that authorities were working to restore peace and safety and that most roadblocks had been cleared, according to aa and latinamericareports.

Experts predict that this recent escalation may just be the beginning, as cartels often retaliate fiercely against state actions that threaten their leadership, potentially leading to an increased fragmentation of violence as observed in historical contexts. Analysts warn that pursuing a "kingpin strategy" could exacerbate the situation rather than bring peace, which complicates the ongoing battle against organized crime, per latinamericareports and reuters.