Mexico News: Could Fifa World Cup hosting be compromised by cartel violence?
This mexico news bulletin examines an outbreak of cartel violence that began on Sunday after federal forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho. " The eruption has sparked attacks, deaths and widespread disruption that raise questions about security for this summer's Fifa World Cup.
Mexico News: Violence spreads in Jalisco
The violence began in the central-western state of Jalisco on Sunday, where a code red security situation has been declared. Federal forces had attempted to capture Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes in a raid that led to a firefight; the leader was fatally wounded and six of his accomplices were killed in the operation. The Jalisco New Generation cartel, or CJNG, engaged in gun shootouts with the Mexican military, blocked roads and burned vehicles in retaliation. Videos showed gunmen patrolling streets and smoke over cities.
Security operations and casualty toll
Officials say the immediate aftermath included heavy losses. At least 25 National Guard officers have been killed inside 24 hours. The security minister, Omar García Harfuch, said 25 members of the National Guard and one security guard were killed, and that 30 cartel operatives were killed as well as one bystander. Authorities also said the raid that wounded El Mencho killed six accomplices.
Roadblocks cleared, chaos across states
Retaliatory attacks involved torching cars and buses and creating more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states; authorities said those roadblocks had been cleared. Violence that began in Jalisco has now spread to at least a dozen more regions. In the country's west, schools were closed and international travellers were left stranded; several foreign governments issued travel warnings. The president, Claudia Sheinbaum, urged calm as the government worked to restore order.
Impact on travel and airports
Authorities in Puerto Vallarta urged people to stay indoors as videos showed cars and buildings ablaze there and smoke rising while tourists walked on beaches. In Guadalajara, the streets were almost empty as fearful residents stayed home. The government said while some flights had been diverted, the airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Tepic were operating normally. Separately, one advisory asked Americans in Jalisco to shelter indoors until further notice and Canada cancelled flights to the Puerto Vallarta airport; flight tracking services showed many aeroplanes returning to their departure destinations around the world.
Cartel reach and local responses
The CJNG is described as one of the country's most powerful and feared criminal organisations. It 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. Some cartel figures retain popularity in local communities because they provide financing for local infrastructure and facilities.
Analysts, officials and local statements
Javier Eskauriatza, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham, warned that "when you push down on the cartels you do get pushback" and that a security situation can be difficult to manage if it spirals out of control. He added that cartels have an economic interest in ensuring the World Cup is peaceful, that they pay off politicians and local police, and that they invest in restaurants and hotels. He also said the CJNG's response was driven by the "rules of the game"—if a leader is taken, the group must respond or appear weak—and that social media amplifies and nationalizes their actions.
David Mora, a Mexico analyst for International Crisis Group, said he expected violence to spike after El Mencho's death, noting that El Mencho had run a very centralised organisation and that "there is no clear direct heir or successor, " which could create an internal struggle and invite rival cartels to seize territory.
In Guadalajara more than 1, 000 people were sheltered overnight inside the city zoo; the zoo director, Luis Soto Rendón, said the decision was taken for safety and that "there are small children and senior citizens. "
Guadalajara, home to more than a million people, is scheduled to host four matches at this summer's tournament; Mexico City is scheduled to host five matches and Monterrey four. The sequence from the raid on Sunday to nationwide retaliation, the casualty figures, the clearing of more than 250 roadblocks across 20 states and the mix of local sheltering and travel disruption together frame a fast-moving security picture. It remains unclear in the provided context whether the World Cup hosting will be compromised.
