Violence after the death of El Mencho was the phrase that ignited social media and sparked alarm over alleged attacks at Guadalajara Airport, U.S. hostages, and an escalation of chaos in Jalisco. However, state and federal authorities denied those reports, while digital analysis detected coordinated amplification that turned rumors into real panic.

There were waves of violence after the death of El Mencho. Within hours, social media platforms were flooded with claims of attacks against civilians at Guadalajara Airport, U.S. hostages, and widespread clashes across Jalisco.

But a review of official statements, verified posts, and digital behavior analysis shows that much of that narrative was either false or artificially amplified.

What is true about the violence after the death of El Mencho?

The messages began circulating after reports of an operation linked to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” identified as the leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación.

On social media, users shared claims that:

• Civilians were attacked at Guadalajara Airport.
• Armed groups seized airport facilities.
• U.S. tourists were being held hostage.
• An airplane was on fire at the terminal.
• U.S. military personnel participated in an arrest in Mexico.

None of these claims were confirmed by federal or state authorities.

Following the operation in which Oseguera Cervantes was killed, violent reactions attributed to the CJNG left 25 members of the National Guard, one prison guard, and one state prosecutor’s office agent dead in Jalisco. In Michoacán, 15 security personnel were reported injured.

Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch reported 85 road blockades and dozens of attacks against authorities. There were fatalities and injuries among both alleged members of organized crime and security forces.

By nightfall, the federal cabinet said most roads had been cleared. A national command center was established, and military reinforcements were deployed to Jalisco.

Guadalajara Airport and the panic narrative

he main focus of the rumors was the Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara. The Jalisco state government denied that any attacks against civilians had taken place or that criminal groups had taken control of the airport.

Authorities also debunked a viral photograph showing a plane on fire in Guadalajara, clarifying that the image did not correspond to any incident in the state.

However, the impact of the messages was tangible. Local reports described moments of confusion and a brief stampede inside the airport, triggered by fear fueled on social media — not by any confirmed attack.

Puebla: class suspensions and information gaps

While online attention centered on Jalisco, another element added to the uncertainty in Puebla.

The state Ministry of Education announced the suspension of classes due to weather conditions. However, the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla stated that its decision also considered the broader security context.

The difference in messaging was enough for social media users to link the suspension to the national narrative of violence after the death of El Mencho, even though no official communication confirmed a direct connection between the two events.

The claim about “U.S. hostages” because of violence after the death of El Mencho

Among the most viral posts was one from U.S. commentator Laura Loomer, who claimed that criminal groups in Jalisco had kidnapped “Americans” following the operation.

The post gained significant traction. The Mexican Embassy publicly responded, labeling the claim as “fake news.” No official evidence supported the existence of hostages related to these events.

The episode illustrates how individuals with large digital reach can amplify crisis narratives without prior verification.

At least 500 bots amplified false information

According to digital analyses released after the events, around 500 automated accounts amplified messages from at least three profiles promoting the narrative of chaos and violence after the death of El Mencho.

The pattern was consistent with coordinated campaigns:

• Nearly simultaneous posts.
• Repeated use of the same images and phrases.
• Strategic tagging of high-follower accounts.

The result was a perception of immediacy and collapse that did not match the official reports available at the time.

In the end, while real violence did occur — including deadly attacks against security forces and dozens of blockades — much of the panic surrounding Guadalajara Airport and alleged foreign hostages stemmed from unverified claims amplified at scale.