A group of armed individuals attacked a prison in Puerto Vallarta, a resort town in Mexico, following the death of infamous drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho.” This incident led to the escape of 23 inmates and resulted in the death of one prison guard.
On Sunday, the attackers opened fire on the facility and crashed a vehicle into the Centro Integral de Justicia area, as confirmed by local authorities.
The intrusion triggered a riot within the prison, complicating efforts to manage the situation and ultimately causing the guard’s death during the chaos. Authorities had requested reinforcement from outside, but difficult road conditions hindered a swift response.
By Monday, state officials reported that a head count revealed 23 inmates had escaped, prompting an ongoing search for those at large.
Authorities stated that order has been restored, and the prison is functioning under heightened security while investigations continue.
This prison breakout coincided with widespread violence across 20 of Mexico’s 32 states on the same day, leading to the deaths of at least 73 individuals, including 25 members of the Mexican National Guard in various attacks.
Tourists in Puerto Vallarta were advised to remain indoors as drug gangs wreaked havoc, setting fires and openly displaying weapons in the streets.
In the aftermath, around 10,000 Mexican soldiers have been mobilized throughout the country.
The U.S. State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for information on El Mencho’s capture.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which emerged in 2009, is recognized as one of the most influential and rapidly expanding criminal organizations in Mexico.
