Mexico on Edge as Cartel Violence Erupts After El Mencho Killing

 

Mexico is facing a sudden and dangerous escalation of cartel violence following reports that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes—better known as El Mencho, the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)—was killed in a military operation. Within hours, coordinated attacks and road blockades spread across Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, and neighboring states, plunging major cities into chaos and placing the federal government under intense scrutiny.

A Wave of Coordinated Attacks

According to widely circulated reports and on-the-ground footage, CJNG cells launched a multi-front campaign designed to paralyze daily life and pressure authorities. Armed groups allegedly forced motorists from their vehicles, then set cars, buses, trucks, and semis ablaze to create barricades on highways and city roads. Businesses and public spaces—including gas stations, malls, and commercial establishments—were targeted with arson and explosive devices.

Federal infrastructure has also been singled out. Banco del Bienestar branches, a key part of Mexico’s social-welfare banking system, were reportedly attacked, burned, and vandalized. Meanwhile, shootouts between cartel gunmen and the Mexican military erupted at several blockades, underscoring the scale and coordination of the response.

Airports, Travel, and Civilian Fear

The violence quickly spilled into civilian life. Airports experienced panic, flights were canceled, and public transportation systems were disrupted. Social media videos show plumes of smoke rising from urban areas, while residents describe being trapped indoors as armed convoys moved through streets. In some messages attributed to CJNG affiliates, cartel members demanded that those responsible for El Mencho’s death be handed over—threatening civilians, hotels, and homes if their demands were not met.

Political Fallout for Sheinbaum

The crisis has placed President Claudia Sheinbaum squarely in the spotlight. Critics point to earlier statements in which she emphasized that a return to a full-scale “war on the narco” would be outside the framework of the law, arguing that such an approach risks extrajudicial violence and human-rights abuses. Supporters say her position reflects a commitment to due process; detractors counter that the current unrest exposes the limits of restraint when facing a cartel capable of near-military retaliation.

Opponents are also resurfacing comments attributed to Sheinbaum from last November, accusing her administration’s posture of emboldening criminal groups. With regions now effectively shut down by blockades and fires, the debate has shifted from theory to consequence.

A Test of State Authority

Whether El Mencho’s reported death proves a turning point or merely triggers a brutal succession struggle remains uncertain. What is clear is that the CJNG’s response—swift, synchronized, and public—was intended to demonstrate power and intimidate both the state and the population.

Mexico has faced cartel violence before, but the current flare-up represents a stark test of state authority, public security, and political resolve. As the smoke clears, the country—and the Sheinbaum administration—must confront a grim question: how to restore order without surrendering either the rule of law or the safety of ordinary citizens.

Iran’s Quiet Power Shift: How Ali Larijani Became the Regime’s Wartime Enforcer

As Iran braces for the possibility of direct conflict with the United States and Israel, a profound but largely unacknowledged shift has taken place at the heart of the Islamic Republic’s power structure. While President Masoud Pezeshkian remains the country’s nominal executive, real authority has consolidated elsewhere — in the hands of Ali Larijani, a hardened regime insider entrusted by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with steering the state through what Tehran views as an existential crisis.

As nationwide protests mounted and the threat of U.S. military action intensified earlier this year, Khamenei turned not to Iran’s elected leadership but to Larijani. A former Revolutionary Guards commander, longtime power broker, and veteran of Iran’s security establishment, Larijani was tasked with one mission: preserve the system at any cost.

A President Sidelined

President Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon by training who ran on a message of technocratic competence, has been effectively pushed to the margins. In one revealing episode described by senior officials, Iran’s foreign minister sought permission to contact a U.S. envoy in an effort to avoid escalation. Pezeshkian reportedly admitted he did not know whether such contact was even permitted — and directed the minister to seek authorization from Larijani instead.

The moment exposed Iran’s true power hierarchy: the elected president defers to an unelected war manager.

Pezeshkian himself has publicly downplayed his political role, at one point remarking, “I’m a doctor, not a politician.” In Iran’s current environment, analysts say, that admission amounted to a political death sentence.

Rule by Crisis Committee

Larijani now operates at the center of a tightened inner circle loyal directly to Khamenei. His responsibilities have expanded dramatically — overseeing internal repression, coordinating with Russia and regional intermediaries such as Qatar and Oman, managing nuclear negotiations with Washington, and preparing the country for possible war.

Iranian officials and former diplomats describe a system increasingly run by what amounts to a wartime crisis committee. Larijani heads the Supreme National Security Council, while a newly created National Defense Council manages military operations. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been designated de facto wartime commander of the armed forces, with other senior figures overseeing intelligence and internal security.

These changes reflect lessons learned from Israel’s surprise strikes in the previous conflict, which reportedly disrupted Iran’s command chain. In response, authority has been centralized, succession planning hardened, and continuity ensured even in the event of leadership decapitation.

Preparing for Assassination — and Collapse

Khamenei, now in his mid-80s, appears to be planning not only for war, but for his own death. Officials say he has ordered multiple layers of succession for key military and government posts and delegated decision-making authority to trusted confidants in case communications fail — or if he is killed.

While several potential successors have reportedly been identified, none have been publicly named. Larijani is unlikely to become supreme leader due to the requirement that the position be held by a senior Shiite cleric. Still, he remains deeply embedded in the regime’s core command structure and is widely viewed as the leading emergency ruler should top leadership be eliminated.

Iranian planners have even debated who would govern if multiple senior leaders were killed. Larijani reportedly tops that list, followed by Ghalibaf and former president Hassan Rouhani — each burdened by corruption allegations, ties to repression, and responsibility for past human rights abuses that could further inflame public anger.

A Nation on War Footing

Signs of preparation are visible across Iran. Armed forces are on maximum alert. Missile launchers have been positioned near Iraq and along the Persian Gulf. Naval exercises, missile tests, airspace closures, and even planning for a temporary shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz signal readiness for escalation that could shake global energy markets.

Internally, security forces, intelligence services, and Basij militias are expected to flood major cities in the event of conflict — establishing checkpoints, suppressing unrest, and hunting suspected foreign operatives. The regime is preparing simultaneously for external war and internal rebellion.

The Shadow Ruler

Publicly, Larijani has struck a defiant tone, declaring Iran “more powerful than before,” insisting the country is not seeking war — but warning that it will respond if forced.

Behind the scenes, analysts say his ascent marks a decisive transition. Iran is no longer operating as a conventional political system, but as a survival regime — one run not by diplomats or reformers, but by hardline operators built for crisis management.

If war comes, the man directing Iran’s response may not be the president seen on television. It will be the shadow ruler working behind him.

Rep. Ro Khanna Warns Powerful Interests Target Careers, Not Physical Safety

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Ro Khanna said he is not concerned about his physical safety in Washington but warned that powerful interests often work behind the scenes to destroy the reputations and careers of lawmakers who challenge entrenched power.

Khanna made the remarks in comments shared on social media, where he described what he sees as the real risk facing members of Congress who refuse to remain silent. “The truth is more nuanced,” Khanna said. “Big money tries to destroy a person’s career and reputation.”

The California Democrat pointed to former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as an example of how political and financial forces can target lawmakers they view as disruptive. While Greene is a Republican and Khanna is a progressive Democrat, Khanna suggested the underlying dynamics transcend party lines.

“In Washington, you rise by keeping your head down and not making enemies,” Khanna said, contrasting that approach with his own and that of Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky. Khanna said he and Massie are “unafraid to challenge power,” even when doing so carries professional consequences.

Khanna framed the issue as one of institutional pressure rather than personal danger, arguing that lawmakers who question powerful interests often face reputational attacks, loss of support, or political isolation rather than direct threats to their safety.

The comments were highlighted in a post by political commentator Nahar Ali, who summarized Khanna’s remarks as a warning about how Washington rewards compliance and punishes dissent. Ali noted that Khanna portrayed himself and Massie as willing to confront those forces directly, in contrast to what Khanna described as the caution adopted by many lawmakers to avoid making enemies.

Khanna’s remarks come amid broader debates over the influence of money, lobbying, and political retaliation in Washington, as well as renewed scrutiny of how dissenting voices within Congress are treated by party leadership, donors, and interest groups.

While Khanna did not name specific organizations or individuals, his comments underscore a growing concern among some lawmakers that career pressure, rather than open debate, shapes much of modern congressional politics.

Mexican Security Forces Reportedly Kill Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’

JALISCO, Mexico — One of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers, the Mexican cartel leader known as “El Mencho,” has reportedly been killed during an operation by Mexican security forces, according to multiple Mexican media outlets citing government sources.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was reportedly killed on Sunday in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, a stronghold long associated with his criminal organization, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Mexican authorities have not yet issued a formal public confirmation, but major newspapers reported that federal forces carried out the operation.

Oseguera Cervantes rose from relative obscurity to become the leader of what many analysts consider Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organization, responsible for large-scale drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings, and attacks on civilians and state security forces. Under his leadership, the CJNG expanded aggressively across Mexico and into other parts of Latin America, challenging rival cartels and directly confronting the Mexican state.

The United States government had placed a $15 million reward on Oseguera Cervantes for information leading to his capture or conviction, making him one of the most sought-after cartel figures in the world.

Immediate Violence Follows Reports of Death

Reports of El Mencho’s killing were followed almost immediately by widespread unrest across several western and central Mexican states. Media outlets documented burning vehicles, armed roadblocks, and so-called “narco blockades” in parts of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and Michoacán, regions where the CJNG has long exercised influence.

Such retaliatory violence has historically followed major blows to cartel leadership, as criminal groups attempt to demonstrate continued power, intimidate authorities, or disrupt security operations.

Local authorities urged residents in affected areas to remain indoors while security forces worked to restore order.

A Major Turning Point — Or a Dangerous Transition

If confirmed, Oseguera Cervantes’ death would mark one of the most significant blows to organized crime in Mexico in decades. Analysts caution, however, that the removal of a cartel leader does not necessarily result in reduced violence. Power struggles within criminal organizations often lead to fragmentation, internal conflict, and short-term spikes in violence.

The CJNG’s deep structure, diversified revenue streams, and regional commanders could allow the organization to continue operating despite the loss of its founder.

Mexican and U.S. officials are expected to closely monitor developments in the coming days, particularly signs of retaliation or shifts in cartel leadership.

U.S. Defeats Canada in Overtime to Win First Men’s Olympic Hockey Gold Since 1980

MILAN — This was not a miracle. It was mastery under pressure.

Forty-six years after the iconic “Miracle on Ice,” the United States men’s hockey team has reclaimed Olympic gold—this time by outlasting and outplaying its greatest rival. The Americans defeated Canada 2–1 in overtime Sunday at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, capturing their first men’s hockey gold medal since 1980.

Jack Hughes delivered the defining moment, blasting a rocket past Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington just 1:40 into 3-on-3 overtime. The goal ended one of the most anticipated gold-medal matchups in Olympic hockey history and finally snapped a decades-long drought for the U.S. program.

If Hughes supplied the finish, Connor Hellebuyck supplied the foundation.

The American goaltender turned in a performance for the ages, stopping 41 of 42 Canadian shots as wave after wave of pressure crashed down on the U.S. net. Canada dominated possession and shot totals for long stretches, but Hellebuyck remained immovable, denying breakaways, stuffing point-blank chances, and frustrating a roster stacked with the NHL’s most dangerous scorers.

Canada’s historical edge in Olympic play made the victory all the more significant. Since NHL players returned to the Games in 1998, the Canadians had beaten the United States in gold-medal games in 2002 and 2010 and eliminated them again in 2014. When the stakes were highest, Canada had owned the rivalry—until Sunday.

The game itself lived up to its billing from the opening puck drop.

The United States struck first midway through the opening period when Matt Boldy showcased dazzling skill, flipping the puck past elite Canadian defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews before beating Binnington on a backhand deke. It was a rare defensive lapse for Canada and one the Americans fully capitalized on.

Canada responded with relentless pressure, finally breaking through late in the second period when Makar fired a perfectly placed wrist shot past Hellebuyck to tie the game. From there, the contest became a test of endurance and nerve.

The third period bordered on survival hockey for the Americans. Hellebuyck robbed Devon Toews at the goal line, denied Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway, and turned aside a barrage of shots as Canada searched desperately for a winner. Despite outshooting the U.S. 41–26 through regulation, the Canadians could not solve him again.

That resistance bought the United States its chance.

In overtime, Zach Werenski forced a turnover and raced up ice before finding a wide-open Hughes in the slot. Hughes wasted no time, unloading a blistering slap shot that ended the game—and the gold-medal drought—in an instant.

Across Milan, the celebration was deafening. American and Canadian jerseys filled the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and spilled onto trains and streets throughout the city. Back home, fans gathered in bars before sunrise, replaying the highlights of 1980 the night before and waking early to witness history repeat itself—this time with a different cast and a different kind of belief.

There was no miracle required.

Just elite goaltending. Relentless defense. And one perfect shot when it mattered most.

The United States is once again Olympic champion in men’s hockey.

Catholics and Muslims Are Closer Than We Think — Especially at the End of Time

In public debate, Catholics and Muslims are often portrayed as inhabiting separate moral and theological worlds. Yet one of the most striking — and least acknowledged — areas of agreement between the two faiths concerns the end of history itself. When it comes to what the world looks like at the end of time, and the role Jesus plays in it, Catholics and Muslims stand far closer than most people realize.

Both believe Jesus is alive today. Both believe He will return bodily, not symbolically. Both believe His return occurs amid global moral collapse, widespread deception, and the rise of a false savior. And both believe His return marks the decisive turning point before God’s final judgment.

That is not a minor overlap. It is a shared vision of humanity’s final crisis.

Catholic teaching describes a “final trial” in which truth is distorted, faith is pressured into compromise, and a powerful figure — traditionally called the Antichrist — deceives the world with false promises of salvation and peace. The Catechism speaks of a moment when humanity is tempted to solve its problems apart from God, at the cost of truth and justice.

Islamic tradition describes nearly the same scenario. Muslims expect a period of fitna — severe tribulation and deception — culminating in the appearance of al-Masih ad-Dajjal, the false messiah. Like the Antichrist, Dajjal is portrayed as a global deceiver who draws vast followings, performs false signs, and leads humanity away from truth.

Different names. Same problem.

In both faiths, the solution to that deception is not political reform, military power, or philosophical awakening. It is Jesus Himself.

Catholics believe Jesus returns in glory and destroys the Antichrist by the sheer force of His presence, exposing lies and restoring truth. Muslims believe Jesus returns by God’s permission and defeats Dajjal, bringing an end to false claims and moral corruption. The theological explanations differ, but the role is the same: Jesus ends the greatest deception in human history.

Importantly, neither faith believes the world ends the instant Jesus returns. Both traditions describe a period in which justice is restored, truth clarified, and oppression restrained. Catholic theology speaks of Christ’s definitive victory over evil, preparing humanity for final judgment. Islamic tradition speaks of a just era under Jesus before the Last Day.

Again, the expectations align more than they diverge.

Catholics and Muslims also agree on what comes next: resurrection of the dead, accountability for one’s actions, and eternal consequences. Heaven and hell are real. Justice is complete. Nothing hidden remains hidden.

Where the two faiths part ways — honestly and irreducibly — is over who Jesus ultimately is. Catholics confess Him as God incarnate. Muslims honor Him as a great human prophet. That difference matters deeply to both communities and should not be minimized.

But here is the overlooked truth: Catholics and Muslims expect the same end-time events unfolding in the same order, involving the same central figure, confronting the same moral crisis.

A Catholic and a Muslim living at the end of time might disagree about Jesus’ divine identity — but they would likely agree on what they are witnessing: a world unraveling morally, a false savior exposed, Jesus returned to restore truth, and God’s judgment approaching.

In a fractured global landscape where religious differences are often weaponized, this shared horizon matters. It reminds us that Catholics and Muslims are not merely arguing about the past. They are, in many ways, looking toward the same future — one in which truth defeats deception, justice overcomes oppression, and history answers to God, not human power.

Interfaith understanding does not require theological compromise. Sometimes it begins by recognizing that, when it matters most, we are describing the same storm — even if we speak in different tongues.

Trump Says He Is Sending a Hospital Ship to Greenland — Allies Say They Didn’t Ask for One

WASHINGTON / NUUK — President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States is sending a hospital ship to Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, triggering confusion and diplomatic pushback from Denmark and Greenlandic officials who say no such assistance has been requested or is needed.

The announcement came via Trump’s Truth Social account shortly before he hosted Republican governors at the White House. Trump said he was coordinating the move with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, whom he appointed in December as U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland.

“We are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there,” Trump wrote. “It’s on the way!!!”

No U.S. agency, the White House, the Department of Defense, or Danish authorities have confirmed that a hospital ship has been formally deployed or even scheduled to sail.

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No Request, No Confirmation, No Medical Crisis

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark was not aware of any incoming U.S. hospital ship. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen publicly rejected the premise of Trump’s claim, stating that Greenland already provides free and universal healthcare.

Greenland, with a population of roughly 57,000, operates five regional hospitals, with the largest located in the capital city of Nuuk. Patients requiring advanced or specialized care are routinely transported to Denmark.

“There is no need for a special healthcare initiative in Greenland,” Poulsen said, emphasizing that healthcare access is already guaranteed.

Greenlandic lawmakers echoed that position, noting that while the healthcare system faces logistical challenges due to geography, those issues are addressed through cooperation with Denmark—not emergency intervention from the United States.

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The Submarine Evacuation: Coincidence, Not Cause

Trump’s announcement came just hours after Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command confirmed it had medically evacuated a U.S. Navy submariner from a nuclear-powered submarine operating near Greenland’s coast.

The sailor was transported by Danish Seahawk helicopter to a hospital in Nuuk after requesting urgent medical attention. Danish authorities emphasized that the evacuation was routine, coordinated, and successful.

There is no evidence linking that incident to Trump’s hospital ship announcement. Danish officials explicitly stated the two events were unrelated.

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Which Hospital Ship Could Even Go?

The U.S. Navy operates only two hospital ships:

• USNS Mercy (Pacific-based)

• USNS Comfort (Atlantic-based)

Both ships are currently moored in Mobile, Alabama, not Louisiana, despite Trump’s reference to coordination with Governor Landry. Neither ship has been publicly ordered to deploy to Greenland, and no sailing timeline has been disclosed.

Trump’s post included an AI-generated image of the USNS Mercy, further raising questions about whether the announcement reflects an operational military decision or a political message.

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Greenland, Trademarks, and Trump’s Broader Strategy

The hospital ship episode fits into a wider pattern of Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland as a strategic asset.

Trump has repeatedly argued that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for national security, citing Arctic shipping lanes, mineral resources, and competition with Russia and China. Earlier threats to acquire the island—by force if necessary—sparked months of tension within NATO.

Last month, Trump claimed he had reached a “framework” understanding with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to increase U.S. influence in the Arctic, though details remain vague.

Separately, Trump Organization trademark filings in recent years have sought to register airport-related branding, fueling speculation that Trump’s Greenland interest blends strategic, political, and commercial considerations—though no direct link has been established.

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Allies Push Back as Confusion Grows

Greenlandic officials and activists reacted sharply to Trump’s claim that residents are “not being taken care of.” One prominent Greenlandic activist wrote simply: “No thanks.”

The Danish government framed Trump’s statement as another example of unpredictable diplomacy that strains long-standing NATO relationships.

“This is the new normal,” Poulsen said. “Trump is constantly tweeting about Greenland.”

For now, there is no confirmed hospital ship en route, no medical emergency on the island, and no formal request from Denmark or Greenland—only a public declaration that has left allies scrambling to respond.