The operation, which had crucial support from the United States Intelligence, located the drug lord in an unexpected scenario: the town of Tapalpa, in the mountains of Jalisco. It has been revealed that it was a romantic encounter with his partner that allowed the special forces to tighten the noose around the most wanted narco.
While satellite images show the extent of the destruction in cities like Puerto Vallarta, the epicenter of the confrontation was located in this "Magic Town", where the noise of helicopters and gunfire shattered the peace of the mountains last Sunday. Antonio Morales, the mayor of Tapalpa, has tried to convey a message of institutional control to the international press, although he acknowledges that in the municipality "there is a tense calm."
The councilor detailed the emergency measures taken during the shootout: "We have been in constant communication with the state authority since we realized that this operation was taking place to coordinate and keep the population safe, asking them to remain calm and take shelter in their homes." Despite the deployment, two civilians were injured in the crossfire, but they are now out of danger.
The economic impact of 'El Mencho's' fall is already being felt in the service sector. In Puerto Vallarta, over 400 kilometers from where the criminal leader fell, fear has gripped foreign visitors. Many tourists have been trapped in hotels and shopping centers due to massive flight rescheduling for security reasons. Steve Perkins, a 57-year-old affected by the chaos, described his situation on the ground: "There are many Americans trapped here."
The concern of the local population goes beyond immediate material damages. Residents like María Dolores Aguirre fear that the stigma of violence will definitively drive away travelers: "It will affect us because these are collateral damages." Additionally, there is a lingering fear of a bloody response from the CJNG, an organization present in all 32 states of Mexico with firepower capable of challenging national security. For now, the country cautiously observes how the drug trafficking map is reshaping after the disappearance of its most media-savvy and dangerous figure.