STORY: Dark plumes of smoke were visible from Guadalajara International Airport on Sunday (February 22) after Mexican cartel boss 'El Mencho' was killed in a military raid.

Videos from an eyewitness at the airport captured stampedes of passengers panicked as plumes of smoke rose over vehicles on fire outside.

Reuters was able to verify the location from flooring, interior and business signages matching file imagery. Reuters was able to confirm the date of the videos as they were livestreamed as well as from corroborating footage from the airport

Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as 'El Mencho,' has been killed in a military raid, Mexican officials said on Sunday, as the country's government has been ramping up pressure on cartels after U.S. intervention threats.

Mexico's defense ministry said a shootout in the western state of Jalisco left Oseguera seriously injured and he died during an air transfer to Mexico City. The ministry noted that U.S. authorities had provided "complementary information."

The operation set off a wave of violence, with torched cars and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: PEOPLE GATHERED RUNNING AT AIRPORT / SMOKE FROM DISTANCE

VERIFICATION:

- Location verified by flooring, interior and business signages matching file imagery

- Date verified by the livestream videos and corroborating footage

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: TLAJOMULCO DE ZUNIGA, JALISCO, MEXICO (FEBRUARY 22, 2026) (PACO VILLANUEVA - No Resales / No Archive / Must on-screen courtesy Paco Villanueva)

1. VARIOUS OF SMOKE VISIBLE FROM AIRPORT

2. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE RUNNING INSIDE GUADALAJARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

3. TRAVELLERS VIEWING SMOKE PLUMES FROM AIRPORT

4. VARIOUS OF TRAVELLERS IN AIRPORT