**Summary:** Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed by the Mexican army during an operation to capture him. His death triggered widespread violent reactions across several Mexican states, including blockades and arson attacks.

**Key points:**
- The Mexican Ministry of Defense confirmed the death of Oseguera Cervantes, who was one of Mexico and the US's most wanted capos, with a $15 million reward offered by the US.
- Disturbances were reported in at least seven states: Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Colima, Guanajuato, and Zacatecas.
- In Jalisco, Governor Pablo Lemus requested residents stay home and suspended public transport service, activating a "red code."
- Attacks included dozens of fires set to businesses and vehicles, and road blockades using burning cars, trucks, and buses.
- The US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs advised its citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León to seek shelter.

**Why it matters:** The death of the CJNG leader marks a significant development in combating transnational organized crime, though it immediately led to severe security disruptions across western Mexico.

24-horas.mx - Embajada de EU en México emite alerta de seguridad tras caída de 'El Mencho'

elnorte.com - Suman 60 ataques y bloqueos tras caída de 'El Mencho'

france24.com - Mexican army kills drug lord 'El Mencho' during operation to capture him

clarin.com - Autos incendiados y calles bloqueadas en varios puntos de México tras la muerte del capo narco, "El Mencho"

faz.net - Mexikanischer Drogenboss „El Mencho“ bei Militäroperation getötet

Violence erupts across Mexico after Mexican army kills drug lord 'El Mencho'

**Summary:** Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to forge a "hexagon" network of alliances in or around the Middle East, including India, Greece, and Cyprus, to stand against "radical axes," specifically mentioning the radical Shia axis and an emerging radical Sunni axis. This comes as US-Iran nuclear talks are confirmed to resume in Geneva, with Iran insisting on its right to enrichment and self-defense against aggression.

**Key points:**
- Netanyahu's proposed alliance aims to unite nations that 'see eye to eye' on regional challenges and goals.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed agreement on the bond between India and Israel during an upcoming visit.
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Iran has the right to self-defense, including striking US bases in the region, if attacked by the US.
- A new round of US-Iran nuclear talks, mediated by Oman, is set for Geneva on Thursday, aiming for a deal on sanctions relief.
- Iran is preparing a draft proposal for a nuclear agreement that Araghchi suggested could be better than the 2015 JCPOA.
- The Financial Times reported Iran agreed to a secret 500 million euro arms deal with Russia in December for advanced missiles.

**Why it matters:** The simultaneous pursuit of new regional alliances by Israel and ongoing, tense nuclear negotiations with Iran highlights escalating geopolitical maneuvering and security concerns in the Middle East.

Tribune.com.pk - Iran says it has right to self-defence if US launches attack

News18 - Latest US-Iran Talks To Be Held On February 26 In Geneva: Oman

Al Jazeera - Oman confirms US-Iran talks will take place in Geneva on Thursday

Al Jazeera - Netanyahu says Israel will forge regional alliance to rival ‘radical axes’

Netanyahu Announces Plan for Regional Alliance to Counter 'Radical Axes'

**Summary:** Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho', the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed by Mexican federal forces during an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Following the news of his death, violent reactions including road blockades and vehicle burnings occurred in at least six Mexican states.

**Key points:**
- The operation was led by the Mexican Army and federal forces in Tapalpa, Jalisco, a historical stronghold of the cartel leader.
- The US Department of Justice had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to the capture of Oseguera Cervantes, who was 59 years old.
- The CJNG is designated as a terrorist organization by the US government and is involved in trafficking fentanyl, extortion, and human smuggling.
- Road blockades and burning of vehicles, pharmacies, and stores were reported in Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, and Aguascalientes.
- Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Señor de los Gallos', founded the CJNG in 2011 after separating from the Milenio Cartel.

**Why it matters:** The death of 'El Mencho', one of Mexico's most powerful and wanted drug lords, marks a significant event in the fight against organized crime, though security specialists anticipate potential internal reshuffling and increased violence as a likely scenario.

Jalisco cartel chief ‘El Mencho’ killed in Mexican Army operation

Abaten a “El Mencho”, líder del CJNG, en operativo del Ejército en Jalisco

LauT Medienberichten: Mexikanischer Drogenboss „El Mencho“ offenbar tot

PERFIL: ‘El Mencho’, líder del CJNG que inició su negocio en el narco cuando era migrante en EU

El ejército de México mata a 'El Mencho', líder del Cártel de Jalisco y uno de los narcos más buscados por EE UU

‘El Mencho’, líder del CJNG, es abatido en Jalisco: Las veces que fue encarcelado y liberado

« El Mencho », baron de la drogue mexicain, a été tué lors d’une opération militaire, annonce un responsable de l’armée mexicaine

Mexican Drug Lord 'El Mencho' Killed in Jalisco Military Operation

**Summary:** A federal operation conducted by federal authorities in the municipality of Tapalpa, located in the southern region of Jalisco, Mexico, led to armed confrontations and violent reactions, including the burning and obstruction of vehicles in various locations. Consequently, a "código rojo" (red code) was activated in the entity.

**Key points:**
- The operation was carried out by federal forces in Tapalpa, in the southern region of Jalisco.
- Violent reactions included the burning and obstruction of vehicles at different points.
- One specific blockage involved an incinerated public transport truck obstructing access to Avenida Vallarta.
- Blockades using burned trucks were also reported on Aviación and Vallarta avenues.

**Why it matters:** The security escalation, involving armed clashes and significant public disruption via roadblocks, prompted the activation of a high-alert status ('código rojo') in Jalisco.

reforma.com - Reportan operativo federal en Tapalpa y narcobloqueos

elnorte.com - Alertan sobre operativo en Tapalpa, Jalisco, y narcobloqueos

Federal Operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco Triggers Armed Clashes and Roadblocks

**Summary:** Pakistan confirmed carrying out airstrikes targeting seven "terrorist" camps on the Afghan border, stating the action was in response to recent suicide attacks on Pakistani territory. Afghan officials reported dozens of deaths and injuries, including women and children, in the bombings in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.

**Key points:**
- Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed civilian casualties from the strikes.
- The strikes reportedly hit residential areas, damaging several homes and a madrasa.
- Pakistan stated the attacks were precise and targeted camps belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).

**Why it matters:** The cross-border military action represents a significant escalation in tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

France 24 - Pakistan launches border strikes on Afghanistan

El Comercio - Pakistán bombardea Afganistán y deja al menos 17 muertos, entre ellos 11 niños

ANSA.it - Raid aerei pakistani in Afghanistan, decine di morti tra cui donne e bambini

Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan Kill Dozens, Including Women and Children

**Summary:** China's Eileen Gu defended her Olympic freeski halfpipe title at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, securing a gold medal with a best score of 94.75 in Livigno. This victory made her the most decorated freestyle skier in Winter Games history.

**Key points:**
- Gu, 22, also won silver medals in slopestyle and big air in Italy.
- She recovered from a poor first run (30.00) to score 94.00 in the second and 94.75 in the final run.
- Teammate Li Fanghui took silver with 93.00, and Great Britain's Zoe Atkin earned bronze with 92.50 or 90.50 (conflicting scores mentioned).
- The final was postponed from Saturday due to heavy snowfall in the Italian Alps.
- Gu's sixth Olympic medal surpasses the tie she held with Canada's Mikael Kingsbury and China's Xu Mengtao.

**Why it matters:** Eileen Gu's victory cemented her status as the most decorated freestyle skier ever in the history of the Winter Games, achieving a total of three Olympic golds and three silvers.

RTHK - Eileen Gu defends Olympic freeski halfpipe title

WBALTV.COM - Eileen Gu defends Olympic ski halfpipe gold

ANSA.IT - Milano Cortina: Eileen Gu è d'oro nel freestyle halfpipe

Eileen Gu Wins Olympic Freeski Halfpipe Gold at Milano-Cortina

**Summary:** Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest will block the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia, scheduled for Monday, February 23rd, unless Ukraine restores oil transit via the "Druzhba" pipeline.

**Key points:**
- The blockage is tied to Ukraine allegedly refusing to repair the damaged "Druzhba" pipeline following a Russian attack on January 27th near Brody.
- Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán previously threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil transit was not restored.
- Hungary also announced a halt to diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine and blocked a 90 billion euro EU loan for Ukraine.
- The proposed 20th package reportedly includes a total ban on seaborne Russian crude oil transport and restrictions on certain Russian metals and minerals.

**Why it matters:** This action highlights internal EU divisions over sanctions against Russia, linking energy transit issues to broader foreign policy decisions.

Сіярто: Угорщина заблокує 20-ий пакет санкцій ЄС через \"Дружбу\" - Українська правда

Угорщина блокуватиме 20-й пакет санкцій ЄС проти РФ - Еспресо

"Węgry go zablokują". 20. pakiet sankcji wobec Rosji pod znakiem zapytania - RMF 24

Hungary threatens to block EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump announced the dispatch of the naval hospital ship USNS Mercy to Greenland, claiming it is to care for sick people not being taken care of. Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that Greenland receives necessary healthcare in Greenland or Denmark, expressing confusion over the need for a special US initiative.

**Key points:**
- The deployment was coordinated with Louisiana governor Jeff Landry, whom Trump appointed as a special envoy to Greenland in December.
- Greenland and Denmark already operate universal, nationalized healthcare systems, leading to local fears of privatization.
- The announcement followed Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command evacuating a US submarine crew member near Nuuk.
- Trump's actions occur amid heightened geopolitical friction following his previous claims for 'total control' of Greenland, which belongs to NATO ally Denmark.

**Why it matters:** The dispatch of a US naval hospital ship to Greenland, which already has free universal healthcare, signals an escalation in US focus on the strategically located Arctic territory, causing tension with NATO ally Denmark.

The Journal.ie - Trump to send aid to Greenland for 'sick people not being taken care of' - Greenland says no thanks

France 24 - Greenland does not need Trump’s ‘great hospital boat’, Denmark says

News18 - 'It's On The Way': Greenland Has Free Healthcare, So Why Is Trump Sending Hospital Boat To The Island?

Trump Sends Hospital Boat to Greenland; Denmark and Greenland Express Confusion