On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Mexico’s armed forces staged an operation to capture Nemesio Oseguera “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico’s largest organized crime entity. The criminal was taken prisoner but died of his injuries. As a result, members of the cartel blockaded roads with burning vehicles and engaged in violent incidents in 20 of the nation's 32 states. Five states have activated a code red due to clashes and fires involving businesses and vehicles.
In this context of violence that paralyzed entire cities — mainly in the states of Jalisco, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas — the Mexican Episcopal Conference issued a statement calling on the faithful to unite in prayer for the restoration of peace in the country.
The published document calls for “reinforcing personal and community security measures,” “taking shelter and avoiding travel”; it also calls for intensifying prayer for peace: “May our prayer be a confident supplication to Jesus Christ, Lord of history and Prince of Peace, but also a commitment to be sowers of reconciliation and fraternity.”
“In communion as a Church that suffers, prays, and hopes,” the bishops entrusted the country to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Various other Church initiatives called for virtual prayer meetings and in-person community prayer of the Rosary, such as the National Dialogue for Peace or the Miracle Rosary for Mexico.
On social media, videos circulated of priests giving blessings with the Blessed Sacrament from the rooftops of their parishes to implore for peace.
At the Basilica of Zapopan, near the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Franciscan friars gave blessings with the image of the Virgin Mary from the balcony.
In Jalisco, the most affected state
For his part, Cardinal José Francisco Robles, of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, also called on citizens to be on guard and follow the instructions of the authorities. He asked for the intercession of the Virgin of Zapopan “so that there will be no innocent lives to mourn, and tranquility will return to our territory.”
This archdiocese covers the state of Jalisco, where the drug trafficker was captured and killed. Within the Guadalajara metropolitan area, the local government reported 44 vehicle and business fires on Sunday afternoon, as well as reports of fires and clashes in 21 other municipalities in the state.
In Jalisco, many parishes chose to celebrate Sunday Mass behind closed doors, and those that celebrated in open churches reported minimal attendance, according to the archdiocese. Shopping malls, supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, and sports facilities also closed their doors. Some flights from various airlines were suspended, mainly those bound to and from Puerto Vallarta.
Mexican League soccer games were also suspended, as was the public transportation system in affected areas.
On Monday, February 23, schools at all educational levels in the affected states are closed, as are some bank branches and supermarkets. According to media reports, various airlines have suspended flights to Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and other parts of the country. However, according to news reports, many of the disturbances seem to have subsided.
