Mexico deploys thousands of troops to Jalisco after drug lord's death

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities on Monday deployed thousands of soldiers to bolster security in the western state of Jalisco following violence in the wake of the death of Mexico's most-wanted cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho."

Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said an additional 2,500 soldiers had been sent on Monday, with the government saying about 9,500 troops have been deployed overall since Sunday.

At least 20 states have seen unrest since El Mencho died in custody on Sunday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is one of Mexico's most feared criminal organisations and its leader was the country's most wanted man.

At least 25 members of Mexico's National Guard have died in Jalisco state since the violence erupted, the country's security minister said.

El Mencho was captured after forces tracked down a romantic partner he was meeting, according to Trevilla.

The drug lord was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguards and the military commandos deployed to capture him, and he died while the military was transporting him from the town of Tapalpa to the capital, Mexico City.

At least six of El Mencho's security guards were also killed in the operation, while three members of the Mexican military were injured, the defence ministry said.

Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said a prison guard, a member of the state prosecutor's office, and 30 members of El Mencho's criminal organization had been killed in the unrest since his death, according to news agency AFP.

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Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has praised the army's operation that led to El Mencho's death and said her priority is to guarantee peace and security across the country.

"There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces, and there is a lot of co-ordination," Sheinbaum said.

As news of El Mencho's death spread, members of his cartel launched attacks in many towns and cities where the CJGN is active.

In some towns, they blocked roads by throwing spikes and nails onto the tarmac - in others, they commandeered buses and other vehicles then torched them in the middle of the road.

Sheinbaum said that the road blocks had been cleared by Monday morning.

However, dozens of banks and local businesses have been damaged after they were set alight by cartel members.

Videos shared on social media and authenticated by BBC Verify show tourists watching from a pool as a military helicopter flies low over their hotel and smoke rising from buildings in Jalisco state's city of Puerto Vallarta.

In many towns, streets were deserted on Sunday as local authorities told residents to seek shelter in their homes.

BBC authenticated videos of clashes between cartel members and Mexico's National Guard in the town of San Isidro, just north of Jalisco state's capital city Guadalajara, on Sunday.

One video shows an armed person firing towards several cars, while other images show at least four bodies slumped by a car. — Agencies