Fact Check: Old Nepal Footage Misattributed To Recent Unrest In Mexico

New Delhi (Vishvas News). A dramatic video showing vehicles engulfed in flames has gone viral, with users claiming it depicts the chaos in Mexico following the death of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as ‘El Mencho’.

Vishvas News investigated the viral post and found the claim to be misleading. While the reports of violence in Mexico are true, the video being used to illustrate them is misleading. It is an old video of violence in Nepal.  

What is the viral post?

Instagram user ‘shrimainews‘ posted the video on February 23, 2026 (archived link), with the caption, “Following the killing of drug lord El Mancho in a military operation in Mexico, in which the US is said to have played a significant role, widespread violence and unrest have erupted across the country. Gang members are carrying out attacks and arson attacks in numerous locations, disrupting life across the country and confining people to their homes. Mexico has long been a major hub for drug trafficking, with the US as its main market. Americans are addicted to cocaine, which is supplied by the Mexican drug mafia.”

Investigation

First, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. According to CNN’s coverage on February 24, 2026, Mexican drug lord ‘El Mancho’ was killed on February 22, 2026, in a Mexican military operation conducted with the assistance of US intelligence. Suspected gang members then resorted to arson.

According to a report published on The Guardian on February 24, 2026, the Mexican army attempted to capture ‘El Mencho’, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in a raid on the morning of February 22, 2026, leading to a shootout. He was seriously injured and died on the way to the hospital. El Mencho’s real name was Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. Following his death, his supporters took to the streets and attacked security forces. At least 25 soldiers and 34 cartel gunmen were killed in the clashes. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that the situation is gradually returning to normal.

According to a report published on the Dainik Jagran website on February 23, 2026, in light of the situation in Mexico, the Indian Embassy has issued a helpline number for its citizens: +52 55 4847 7539.

This same video previously circulated in September 2025, when it was falsely labelled as footage from violence in Ladakh. Vishvas News investigated and found it was due to violence in Nepal. At that time, we contacted Nepali independent journalist Anuj Arora. He also confirmed that the video was from Nepal.

Lastly, we scanned the Instagram profile of the user who shared the viral video and found that the user has over 10,000 followers.

Conclusion: Vishvas News found in its investigation that while Mexico is currently navigating a period of intense instability following the fall of a major cartel leader, the viral video showing burning vehicles is an old clip from Nepal and has no connection to the events of February 2026.

Tags

• drug lord Nemesio
• El Mencho
• Old Nepal Footage