El Mencho Killing Prompts Postponement of Mexican League Matches as Security Concerns Spread
The killing of cartel leader el mencho by the Mexican army set off immediate disruption on Sunday, with four high-level soccer matches postponed as authorities and sports organizers dealt with unrest and potential security risks.
El Mencho: where and how the operation unfolded
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed El Mencho, who led the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, was wounded in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Tapalpa is about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara. He died while being flown to Mexico City. The killing prompted violent reactions in multiple states.
Matches postponed and national team schedule
Four high-level soccer matches were postponed on Sunday after the army operation. Two top-tier games were affected: Queretaro vs. Juarez FC in the men's tournament and Chivas vs. America in the women's league. Two additional matches in the second division were also called off. Mexico's national team still has a friendly against Iceland scheduled for Wednesday at the Corregidora stadium in Queretaro. The Mexican soccer federation has not made any public moves to postpone that friendly, and the national team was training as planned on Monday ahead of the game.
Wider unrest and security implications for Guadalajara and upcoming events
Following his death, cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states. The unrest arrives with Guadalajara slated to host four World Cup games in June, including two involving South Korea. Co-host Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia are also scheduled to play there. The inter-confederation playoff, which will decide two of the remaining six World Cup spots, is set to be played in Guadalajara and Monterrey in March. World soccer's governing body requested a status report on security from the Mexican federation on Monday.
CJNG’s reach, designation and other events continuing as scheduled
The Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) is considered the most powerful cartel in Mexico, with an estimated 19, 000 members and operations spanning 21 of the country's 32 states. The CJNG has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. In parallel with the security ripple effects, the Mexican Open, an ATP tennis tournament, will begin Monday at the GNP Arena in Acapulco, Guerrero; organizers issued a statement Sunday saying that "the tournament's operation continues as normal. "
What to watch next
Expect immediate focus on whether additional sporting events will be rescheduled and on the security status reports requested of the national federation. Travel disruptions and roadblocks in multiple states could affect logistics for teams, fans and tournament organizers. Details may evolve as authorities and sports bodies assess conditions on the ground.
