Guatemala Tightens Border Security After Mexico's Military Operation Against Gangs

Guatemala City - Guatemala's National Defense Ministry said its government has increased patrols along its border with Mexico amid rising violence, following a military operation that killed a boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

"On February 22, 2026, in the midst of reports of the alleged death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho', the Guatemalan Army, within the framework of Operation Fire Belt, increased operations (monitoring, control, patrol, vigilance, presence, and security) in strategic sectors of the Guatemalan-Mexican border region," the ministry said via X.

However, the Guatemalan military stressed that they maintained channels of communication and coordination with the Mexican National Defense Secretariat.

Earlier on Sunday, the Mexican Defense Ministry announced an operation to capture El Mencho, who later died of his wounds on the way to Mexico City.

Following his death, the CJNG launched a wave of violence in several states by setting up roadblocks, burning vehicles, and attacking security forces in dozens of cities and administrative regions.