{"id":2572972,"date":"2026-02-24T11:28:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T16:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mexican-inmates-escaped-prison-during-riot-over-el-mencho-killing\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T11:31:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T16:31:11","slug":"mexican-inmates-escaped-prison-during-riot-over-el-mencho-killing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mexican-inmates-escaped-prison-during-riot-over-el-mencho-killing\/","title":{"rendered":"Mexican inmates escaped prison during riot over El Mencho killing"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmexican-inmates-escaped-prison-during-riot-over-el-mencho-killing%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2572972&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A manhunt is underway in western Mexico after at least 23 inmates escaped from a Puerto Vallarta prison when armed men rammed a vehicle through the gate and opened fire following the killing of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as \u201cEl Mencho.\u201d A prison guard was killed, and reinforcements were delayed due to road conditions as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/officials-launch-murder-probe-into-death-of-officer-following-d-c-protests\/\" title=\"Officials launch murder probe into death of officer following D.C. protests\">security forces<\/a> pursue the fugitives. The jailbreak unfolded at the Centro Integral de Justicia Regional amid broader violence tied to el Mencho\u2019s death in a military operation in Jalisco, with U.S. intelligence involvement cited and authorities deploying thousands of soldiers and National Guard troops to restore order and track escapees.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. citizens in Mexico were told to shelter in place after the operation, though White House officials said no Americans were reported hurt. El Mencho had been wanted in the United states on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >drug-trafficking charges<\/a> with a $15 million reward, and the trump administration had previously designated his CJNG cartel as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmakers-consider-enacting-statute-to-increase-punishments-for-domestic-terrorism\/\" title=\"Lawmakers consider enacting statute to increase punishments for domestic terrorism\">foreign terrorist organization<\/a>. The prison break is described as one response to El Mencho\u2019s death, while CJNG members reportedly engaged in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/usa-today-editorial-says-republicans-are-bigger-threat-than-9-11-hijackers-after-cheney-ouster\/\" title=\"USA Today Editorial Says Republicans Are Bigger Threat Than 9\/11 Hijackers After Cheney Ouster\">additional violence<\/a>, including arson and casualties among security forces. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called the removal of the cartel leader historic but acknowledged ongoing security challenges.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Manhunt underway for Mexican inmates who escaped prison during riot over cartel killing<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2514954\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A manhunt is underway in western <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mexico\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"322\">Mexico<\/a> after at least <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/02\/24\/world-news\/convicted-criminals-on-the-loose-in-mexico-after-thugs-ram-prison-gate-during-riot-over-cartel-killing\/\">23 inmates escaped<\/a> during a riot at a prison in Puerto Vallarta following the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed &ldquo;El Mencho,&rdquo; the leader of the Jalisco New Generation <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cartels\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3861\">Cartel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The jailbreak unfolded early Sunday at the Centro Integral de Justicia Regional when a group of armed men rammed a vehicle through the prison gate and opened fire.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4468877\/uk-imposing-nearly-300-new-sanctions-on-russia\/\">UK imposing &lsquo;nearly 300 new sanctions on Russia&rsquo; over attacks on Ukraine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4468848\/former-uk-ambassador-mandelson-released-on-bail\/\">Former UK ambassador Mandelson released on bail after arrest over Epstein connection<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4468569\/trump-iran-buildup-state-union-address\/\">Iran buildup hangs over Trump State of the Union address<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The attack sparked tumult inside the facility and allowed inmates to flee as prison personnel were addressing the armed men. Response from reinforcements was delayed due to road conditions outside the prison.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A prison guard was killed during the assault, and reinforced security has since restored order to the facility as law enforcement tracks the fugitives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The chaos followed violent reprisals nationwide after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4466923\/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-dead\/\">Mexican forces killed El Mencho<\/a> during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco state. The Mexican Embassy credited U.S. intelligence in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. citizens in Mexico were ordered to shelter in place following the operation, but <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8767\">White House<\/a> press secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/karoline-leavitt\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11685\">Karoline Leavitt<\/a> said President Donald Trump&rsquo;s administration is &ldquo;unaware of any reports of any Americans being hurt, kidnapped, or killed, and the Mexican <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-the-situation-is-completely-unstable-crenshaw-tours-the-southern-border\/\" title=\"WATCH: \u2018The Situation Is Completely Unstable\u2019: Crenshaw Tours The Southern Border\">drug cartels<\/a> know not to lay a finger on a single American, or they will pay severe consequences under this president.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Oseguera faced federal charges in the United States for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drug-trafficking\/\">drug trafficking<\/a> offenses related to his criminal network. He was wanted alive by the U.S. for $15 million, with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/state-department\/\">State Department<\/a> offering the reward for information leading to his arrest.<\/p>\n<p>Trump had named CJNG, along with seven other Latin American cartels and criminal organizations, as foreign terrorist organizations last February and has waged war on drug cartels in his second term, but mostly in South America.<\/p>\n<p>The prison break is just one response to El Mencho&rsquo;s killing, as the JNGC cartel members also set cars on fire, and 25 National Guard <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4467680\/twenty-five-mexican-national-guard-members-killed-army-takes-out-el-mencho\/\">members were reported killed<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/op-eds\/4468248\/el-mencho-killing-trump-opportunity-mexico-drug-cartels\/\"><strong>EL MENCHO AND TRUMP&rsquo;S OPPORTUNITY IN MEXICO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mexican President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/claudia-sheinbaum\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11591\">Claudia Sheinbaum<\/a> hailed the removal of the cartel leader as a historic victory, but acknowledged that the retaliatory violence has posed serious security challenges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mexican officials continue to deploy thousands of soldiers and National Guard troops to quell unrest and assist in tracking escapees from the Puerto Vallarta jail.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inmates escape Puerto Vallarta; manhunt underway<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2572973,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mexico-cartel-killing.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[74324,74456,74455,5370,74454],"class_list":["post-2572972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-cjng","tag-drug-cartel-2","tag-el-mencho-2","tag-mexico","tag-prison-riot-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mexico-cartel-killing.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2572972"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2572976,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572972\/revisions\/2572976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2572973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2572972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2572972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2572972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}