On February 22, Captain Leonel Cardoso, who was in charge of the Security Battalion of the National Guard in Aguascalientes, lost his life due to a car bomb explosion in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco. The incident occurred while he was en route to provide assistance against an offensive by the armed group, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), following the capture and death of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho'. Reports indicate that Cardoso departed from Aguascalientes around 14:45 to respond to a call regarding an armed convoy in the area.

Upon arriving in San Juan de los Lagos, Captain Cardoso identified a dark pickup truck, from which two individuals exited and fled on foot. He exited his National Guard patrol vehicle to investigate the pickup, but shortly after approaching the truck, it exploded, resulting in his tragic death. In addition to Cardoso, also the national guardsmen accompanying him sustained injuries from the blast, underscoring the high-risk environment in which security personnel are operating in the region.

This incident reflects the ongoing violent confrontations between security forces and cartels in Mexico, particularly following the recent upheaval within the CJNG. The situation raises critical concerns regarding the safety and security of law enforcement agencies navigating these dangerous confrontations with organized crime, as they continue to face significant threats and attacks in their efforts to maintain order in areas plagued by cartel violence.