El Mencho’s cartel, which was founded about 16 years ago and became Mexico’s most influential crime group, was also accused of attempting to assassinate Mexican government officials. Senior US officials celebrated El Mencho’s slaying, which follows months of pressure from president Donald Trump over the influx of drugs and migrants across the 3,145km border between the two countries. A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire, in Cointzio, Michoacan state, Mexico. The taskforce was quietly launched late last year with the goal of mapping out networks of drug cartel members on both sides of the US-Mexico border, US officials said. Canada’s government said: “Criminal groups have set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in several cities in Jalisco state ...

Source: The Irish Times February 23, 2026 00:14 UTC