Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, that she held a short telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Monday, one day after a Mexican military operation resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the long-sought leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as “El Mencho.”
Speaking to reporters during her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum described the call as lasting approximately eight minutes and focused on assessing the situation in Mexico following the high-profile operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco. “It was an eight-minute call to ask me what's happening in Mexico, how things are ... it was a short call to see how things were in Mexico,” she said.
The conversation occurred amid widespread retaliatory violence unleashed by CJNG cells across multiple states in response to the killing of their leader. Road blockades, arson attacks, and clashes with security forces had paralyzed highways and disrupted daily life in several regions since Sunday.
The White House had already confirmed on Sunday, February 22, that the United States provided intelligence support to Mexican authorities during the raid that neutralized El Mencho. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt described the operation as a significant blow to one of the primary traffickers of fentanyl into the United States and noted that President Trump had designated the CJNG a foreign terrorist organization in 2025.
Sheinbaum did not disclose further details of her exchange with Trump, but her remarks suggest the call was informational rather than involving specific requests or commitments. The Mexican leader has maintained a measured tone throughout the crisis, repeatedly calling for calm while emphasizing coordination between federal and state authorities to restore order.
The operation in Tapalpa on Sunday left four suspected CJNG members dead at the scene and three others fatally wounded during medical evacuation. Mexican officials are conducting forensic confirmation of El Mencho’s identity, but both Mexican and US sources have expressed high confidence in the outcome.
The killing triggered immediate and coordinated retaliation, with CJNG operatives erecting hundreds of blockades, torching vehicles and businesses, and clashing with security forces across at least 20 states. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro declared a red alert and suspended in-person classes statewide, while Sheinbaum reported that more than 90% of blockades had been cleared by Tuesday.
President Trump has repeatedly framed the fight against Mexican cartels and fentanyl trafficking as a top national security priority, threatening tariffs and military options if cooperation falters. His administration’s intelligence support for the Tapalpa raid reflects ongoing bilateral efforts despite public tensions over migration, trade, and security burden-sharing.
Sheinbaum’s brief account of the call suggests an effort to maintain open communication channels during a volatile period, even as she has emphasized Mexico’s sovereignty in addressing domestic security challenges.
The situation in affected states remains fluid, with security forces continuing clearance operations and authorities urging residents to exercise caution. No further details on additional high-level US-Mexico contacts have been disclosed.
