Mexico hunts 23 inmates sprung from jail during wave of violence

The prisoners escaped from a jail in Puerto Vallarta after armed men rammed one of the gates.

Police in Mexico are searching for 23 inmates who escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta during a wave of attacks by the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel (CJNG) on Sunday. Armed men rammed one of the prison gates, facilitating the escape. The unrest followed the killing of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho'.

At least 23 inmates escaped a prison in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as gangs opened fire and rammed the facility's gates. The escape occurred during Sunday's blockades following the death of major cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho'.

A major operation by Mexican authorities to capture 23 prisoners who escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, began Tuesday morning, amid chaos sparked by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Puerto Vallarta, a beach resort on Mexico's Pacific coast, was among the cities where the CJGN blocked roads and burned cars in revenge for the military's killing of their leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho.' During the riot, armed men rammed a car through one of the prison gates, allowing 23 prisoners to escape. More than 70 people, including 25 members of the National Guard, were killed in the operation to capture 'El Mencho' and the violence that followed. Juan Pablo Hernández, the security secretary for the state of Jalisco, said his office was working with other states to catch the escapees.

Mexican police are searching for 23 inmates who escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta after attacks by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) on Sunday, the BBC reported. Authorities said the cartel retaliated for the killing of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, during a security operation in Jalisco. Cartel members blocked roads and set vehicles on fire in several towns, and armed attackers rammed a prison gate in Puerto Vallarta, enabling the escape of the inmates. More than 70 people, including 25 members of the National Guard, were killed in the operation and the subsequent violence. Officials have not released details about the identities of the escaped prisoners, and security forces are coordinating a search across multiple states. Tourists and residents in Puerto Vallarta were urged to stay indoors as vehicles were torched and smoke rose over the popular beach destination. Airlines suspended flights, and cruise ships canceled scheduled stops. Most roadblocks have since been cleared, but reports of continued unrest emerged in Morelia, where armed men reportedly burned cars and vandalized shops. The operation to arrest Oseguera took place in the town of Tapalpa. He died from injuries sustained in the firefight with special forces. Authorities described the cartel as “a powerful criminal organization” involved in drug trafficking and violent attacks on security forces.