Mexico News mexico news: Cartel violence threatens World Cup hosting
The killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, in a raid on Sunday has set off retaliatory attacks by the Jalisco New Generation cartel and sparked one of the worst bouts of violence the country has seen in years. This mexico news story matters because the unrest, which has left dozens dead and spread across multiple states, could compromise Mexico’s co‑hosting of the summer World Cup.
El Mencho’s death in a Jalisco raid
Authorities attempted to capture Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday; the raid led to a firefight that fatally wounded El Mencho and killed six of his accomplices. El Mencho, 59, had been one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers and led the heavily armed Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), which had become one of the country’s most powerful criminal organisations. Defence minister Ricardo Trevilla said information leading to the capture and death stemmed from a romantic partner.
CJNG retaliation: shootouts, roadblocks and arson
The CJNG responded with widespread attacks, engaging in gun battles with federal forces, blocking roads and torching vehicles. Foot soldiers laid down more than 250 roadblocks across 20 states that were later cleared by authorities, and videos showed gunmen patrolling streets while smoke billowed over cities. In some places, cars and buses were set alight and streets emptied as residents sheltered.
Casualties and official tallies
At least 25 National Guard officers were killed within 24 hours of the violence beginning. Mexico’s security minister, Omar García Harfuch, said 25 members of the National Guard and one security guard had been killed; he added that 30 cartel operatives were killed as well as one bystander. It is unclear if the violence will continue, and previous operations against organised‑crime bosses have at times provoked further bloodshed and dangerous power vacuums.
Cities, airports and tourists caught up in unrest
The violence began in Jalisco, where a code red security situation was declared, and spread to at least a dozen more regions. In Puerto Vallarta videos showed cars and buildings ablaze and tourists walking on the beach with smoke rising in the distance; authorities in Puerto Vallarta advised the public to stay indoors. In Guadalajara, Mexico’s second‑largest city and the capital of Jalisco, streets were almost empty on Sunday and more than 1, 000 people were stuck overnight in the zoo. Luis Soto Rendón, director of Guadalajara’s zoo, said: "We decided to let people stay inside the zoo for their safety, " and added there were small children and senior citizens among those sheltered.
Rumours circulated that large airports had shut after footage showed people running for cover in terminals, though the government said while some flights had been diverted, the airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Tepic were operating normally. The US government advised Americans in Jalisco to shelter indoors until further notice, Canada cancelled flights to the Puerto Vallarta airport, and flight tracking apps showed many aeroplanes returning to their departure destinations around the world.
Mexico News: World Cup hosting and the cartel’s economic ties
Mexico is a co‑host of this summer’s Fifa World Cup, and Guadalajara — the capital of Jalisco and home to more than a million people — is scheduled to host four matches. Mexico City is scheduled to host five matches and Monterrey four. Experts warn the unrest could compromise Mexico’s role as a host. Javier Eskauriatza, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham, said: "When you push down on the cartels you do get pushback - the danger is that it can be very difficult to manage a security situation that spirals out of control. " He added the power vacuum created by El Mencho’s killing could lead to instability and further conflict as contenders vie to replace him.
Eskauriatza also noted the CJNG’s economic ties: cartel figures pay off politicians and local police, buy restaurants and own hotels, and are part of the economic system — meaning they have an interest in a peaceful World Cup so that visitors such as Brits and Americans spend money in Mexico. The CJNG is estimated to be worth more than £10bn, has tens of thousands of members, and has been responsible for a series of massacres, kidnappings and killings of politicians since its formation in 2009. "The response by the CJNG is, in a way, required by the rules of the game — if you have your leader nabbed, you have to respond, " a commentator said, adding that the group has shaped its actions to play out nationally on social media.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm, and the ministry of foreign affairs released a statement on Monday saying: "In Mexico, the rule of law prevails, and under the leadership of President Claudia Sheinbaum, work continues every day to ensure security and wellbeing in our country. " Analysts such as David Mora, Mexico analyst for International Crisis Group, warned that without a clear successor the CJNG could splinter, creating internal struggles and opportunities for other cartels to seize territory.
A media organisation has contacted Fifa for comment on the implications for World Cup security and hosting arrangements.
