Mexico News: Cartel Violence After El Mencho’s Death Raises World Cup Security Concerns
mexico news — Violence that erupted after federal forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho, ” has left at least 25 members of the National Guard dead, sparked widespread roadblocks and arson, and prompted travel disruptions in cities scheduled to host matches at this summer’s Fifa World Cup.
How the raid unfolded and its immediate toll
Authorities say federal forces attempted to capture Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes in Jalisco on Sunday; the operation turned into a firefight that fatally wounded the 59-year-old leader and killed six of his accomplices. Mexico’s security minister, Omar García Harfuch, said retaliatory cartel attacks since the raid have killed 25 members of the National Guard and one security guard. He added that 30 cartel operatives were killed and one bystander died.
Violence spread across states and cities
Violence began in central-western Jalisco, where a code red security situation has been declared, and spread to at least a dozen more regions. Cartel gunmen engaged in shootouts with the Mexican military, blocked roads by torching cars and buses, and set vehicles ablaze; videos posted online showed gunmen patrolling streets and smoke billowing over cities. In the country’s west, schools were closed and international travellers were left stranded.
Mexico News: World Cup host cities and travel effects
Guadalajara — scheduled to host four matches this summer — saw streets nearly empty as residents stayed indoors. Mexico City is scheduled to host five matches and Monterrey four. The upheaval affected airports and flights: Canada cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta airport, the US government advised Americans in Jalisco to shelter indoors until further notice, and flight tracking apps showed many aeroplanes returning to their departure destinations. The government said that while some flights were diverted, the airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Tepic were operating normally.
Local sheltering, stranded tourists and public safety steps
Authorities in Puerto Vallarta issued public advice to stay indoors as videos showed cars and buildings ablaze and tourists walking on the beach with smoke rising in the distance. In Guadalajara more than 1, 000 people were held overnight inside the city’s zoo, the zoo director Luis Soto Rendón said: “We decided to let people stay inside the zoo for their safety. There are small children and senior citizens. ” Officials also said more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared.
Why the CJNG struck back and political reactions
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the country’s most powerful criminal organisations, responded to the leader’s death with a coordinated wave of attacks. The CJNG is estimated to be worth more than £10bn and is said to have tens of thousands of members; it has been linked to massacres, kidnappings and killings of politicians since its formation in 2009. Some cartel figures retain local popularity by financing infrastructure and facilities.
Javier Eskauriatza, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham, warned: “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 that cartels have an economic interest in keeping major events peaceful and that they use social media to amplify their response.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm while the defence minister, Ricardo Trevilla, said information that led to the capture and death of El Mencho stemmed from a romantic partner. David Mora, a Mexico analyst for the International Crisis Group, said he expected violence to spike because the group had been highly centralised and “there is no clear direct heir or successor, ” which could provoke internal struggles and opportunistic attacks by rival groups.
The ministry of foreign affairs released a message intended to reassure citizens and visitors: “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. ”
Officials say security operations are ongoing and that authorities have cleared roadblocks across multiple states; unclear in the provided context is how long heightened restrictions will last. The next confirmed milestones are continued clearance of roadblocks and recovery of normal airport operations as authorities carry out follow-up operations and public safety measures.
