Mexico City, Feb. 22 (LaPresse/AP) – The leader of the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, was killed by the Mexican army during an operation. Following the killing of the cartel leader, columns of smoke were seen rising over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in social media images. People were seen running in panic at the airport of the state capital. This afternoon, Air Canada announced the suspension of flights to Puerto Vallarta “due to an ongoing security issue” and advised passengers not to travel to the airport. The operation followed hours of road blockades and burned vehicles in Jalisco and other states. Cartels often use these tactics to slow or block military action. The United States Department of State had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. In February, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
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