On February 23, 23 inmates successfully escaped and one guard was killed at the Centro Integral de Justicia Regional prison in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The incident occurred after an armed group drove a vehicle through the prison gate, amidst escalating violence following the death of cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho”.
Jalisco state officials confirmed that gunmen fired shots at the detention facility and used a vehicle to ram through the gate to gain entry. This incident sparked a riot, resulting in the death of a guard and hindering reinforcements due to road conditions.
By February 24, after reviewing the roster, authorities confirmed that 23 individuals had escaped from the prison. A large-scale manhunt is currently underway, while security has been heightened at the facility and order has been restored.
Violence Escalates After "El Mencho"'s Death
This prison break occurred amidst a wave of intense attacks in at least 20 of Mexico's 32 states. This situation stems from a military operation on February 23, when the army eliminated the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Local reports indicate at least 73 fatalities, including 25 members of the Mexican National Guard, in just 6 separate attacks. In Puerto Vallarta, a major coastal tourist destination, visitors were advised to stay indoors as armed groups burned vehicles, set up roadblocks, and moved with weapons in the streets.
Approximately 10,000 Mexican soldiers have been deployed nationwide to control the security situation. Previously, the U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to 15 million USD for information leading to the arrest of “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, active since 2009, is considered one of the most influential and fastest-growing criminal organizations in Mexico. Authorities continue to investigate the prison attack and work to apprehend the escaped inmates.
