Nepal Footage Falsely Linked to Recent Mexican Unrest

Mexico’s Viral Violence Video Revealed as Old Footage from Nepal

Violence erupted across Mexico following the death of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” but a viral video purportedly showing the aftermath is misleading, an investigation by Vishvas News has found.

The dramatic footage showing vehicles engulfed in flames has been circulating on social media since February 23, 2026, with claims it depicts the chaos in Mexico after the death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader. Instagram user “shrimainews” shared the video, stating that widespread violence had erupted across Mexico following El Mencho’s killing in a military operation allegedly supported by U.S. intelligence.

While the reports of violence in Mexico are accurate, the video being used to illustrate these events is from an entirely different incident in Nepal, according to fact-checkers.

The death of El Mencho on February 22 has indeed triggered significant unrest across parts of Mexico. According to CNN and The Guardian, the Mexican military, with U.S. intelligence assistance, conducted a raid attempting to capture the cartel leader that morning. The operation led to a shootout in which El Mencho was seriously wounded and later died en route to a hospital.

In the aftermath, his supporters took to the streets and attacked security forces, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 soldiers and 34 cartel gunmen. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has since stated that the situation is gradually returning to normal, though tensions remain high in affected regions.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which El Mencho led until his death, has been one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations in recent years. Their operations have contributed significantly to the country’s ongoing drug trafficking issues, with the United States serving as the primary market for their products.

The situation was serious enough for the Indian Embassy in Mexico to issue a helpline number (+52 55 4847 7539) for its citizens in the country, according to a report by Dainik Jagran on February 23.

However, Vishvas News discovered that the video being shared as evidence of this violence has no connection to Mexico. The same footage previously circulated in September 2025, when it was falsely claimed to show violence in Ladakh. At that time, fact-checkers determined the video actually originated from Nepal, a finding confirmed by Nepali independent journalist Anuj Arora.

This incident highlights the recurring problem of old footage being repurposed to illustrate current events, often leading to misinformation that can heighten public fears and misrepresent complex situations.

The killing of El Mencho marks a significant moment in Mexico’s ongoing battle against drug cartels. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel rose to prominence under his leadership following the fragmentation of other criminal organizations and the arrest or killing of their leaders. Security experts have expressed concerns that El Mencho’s death could lead to further violence as potential successors vie for control.

Mexico has struggled with cartel violence for decades, with successive governments employing different strategies to combat the powerful criminal networks. The current administration faces the challenge of containing the violence while preventing the cartel from splintering into smaller, potentially more volatile groups.

As the situation continues to develop, authorities are urging the public to rely on verified sources of information rather than unconfirmed social media reports, which can often spread misleading content during times of crisis.