The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) carried out drone strikes targeting Mexican forces using commercial off-the-shelf drones armed with air-dropped improvised explosive devices (IEDs) over the past hour through 11:15 PM UTC on February 23, 2026, according to war_noir on X. Concurrently, the Mexican Navy amphibious ship Usumacinta arrived in Puerto Vallarta port, possibly carrying additional troops or supplies, as reported by AtamvirMultani on X citing PuertoVallarta, mexicond, CBCNews, globalnews, and CNNEE. These drone strikes represent an escalation in CJNG violence following the death of leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, El Mencho, killed by federal forces in Tapalpa, Jalisco, earlier today with U.S. intelligence support. The Usumacinta's arrival builds on ongoing federal responses to cartel blockades and disruptions along highways to Puerto Vallarta, including craters and trenches reported in prior hours per Eco1_LVM and CarolinaGomezA on X. The U.S. Embassy's Security Alert Update 4, issued earlier today, continues to urge shelter-in-place in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and other Jalisco areas until blockades clear, while flights to these destinations remain canceled at Mexico City International Airport, according to TravelGov and AztecaNoticias citing AICM_mx. Mexican officials including President Claudia Sheinbaum and Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla confirmed El Mencho's death in the Tapalpa raid, as reported by clashreport and lopezdoriga on X. Earlier developments included Commander Lonche's FES faction of CJNG taking over La Barca, Jalisco, shown in a leaked video posted by VictorPrez61224 on X through 9:45 PM UTC.
