El Mencho killing: Mexico deploys thousands after deadly cartel violence
Violence erupted across mexico after the capture and death of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", prompting the government to deploy thousands of troops and officials to restore order. The operation that ended the life of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader has left dozens dead, injured and cities under a code red security situation.
Mexico troop deployments
Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said an extra 2, 500 soldiers had been sent to western Mexico on Monday, and the government said about 9, 500 troops have been deployed overall since Sunday. President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the army's operation that led to El Mencho's death and said her priority is to guarantee peace and security across the country. "There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces, and there is a lot of co-ordination, " Sheinbaum said.
Capture and death sequence
Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes was captured in Jalisco state after forces tracked down a romantic partner he had been meeting, Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said. The drug lord was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguards and the military commandos deployed to capture him. He was shot during the attempt to capture him in Tapalpa and died while the military was transporting him from the town of Tapalpa to the capital, Mexico City.
Casualties and injuries
At least 25 members of Mexico's National Guard have died in Jalisco state since the violence erupted, the country's security minister said. Another account notes that at least 25 National Guard officers have been killed inside 24 hours. At least six of El Mencho's security guards were also killed in the operation, and three members of the Mexican military were injured, the defence ministry said. Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said a prison guard, a member of the state prosecutor's office, and 30 members of El Mencho's criminal organisation had been killed in the unrest since his death.
Cartel strikes and tactics
As news of El Mencho's death spread, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel launched coordinated attacks in many towns and cities where the CJNG is active. In some towns they blocked roads by throwing spikes and nails onto the tarmac; in others they commandeered buses and other vehicles then torched them in the middle of the road. Vehicles were set ablaze across Jalisco, and smoke billowed from burning buses in Puerto Vallarta. Dozens of banks and local businesses were damaged after they were set alight. In some postings, a CJNG member described the violence as in "revenge" for their leader's death.
Impact on World Cup hosting
The eruption of violence began in central-western Jalisco state, where a code red security situation has been declared, and has spread more widely to at least a dozen more regions and at least 20 states have seen unrest. Observers have warned the co-hosting of this summer's Fifa World Cup could be compromised by the unrest: Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco, is scheduled to host four matches, Mexico City is scheduled to host five matches, and Monterrey is scheduled to host four matches. Experts warned the power vacuum created by El Mencho's killing could lead to instability as contenders vie to replace him, and that cartels have an economic interest in ensuring the tournament remains peaceful. "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, " said Javier Eskauriatza, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham. He added: "In general the cartels have an economic interest in making sure the World Cup is peaceful. Yes they pay off politicians and local police forces, but they also buy restaurants and own hotels. They are part of the economic system. It is useful for them if Brits, Americans, and others go to Mexico, spend their money and have a good time. " He also said: "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, otherwise you look weak. "
Government response and travel advisories
The government cleared road blocks by Monday morning, Sheinbaum said. Authorities said the CJNG has been responsible for massacres, kidnappings and killings of politicians since its formation in 2009; the cartel is estimated to be worth more than £10bn and to have tens of thousands of members. Jalisco residents were warned to stay indoors. The US government advised Americans in Jalisco to shelter indoors until further notice, and the US State Department opened a 24/7 crisis hotline and called on Americans to shelter in various parts of the country, including Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta. Canada cancelled flights to the Puerto Vallarta airport, and flight-tracking data showed many aeroplanes returning to their departure destinations. Airline Aeromexico announced flights to and from airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Tepic will gradually resume from today, and Lufthansa said it would be operating flights to Mexico from Frankfurt and Munich today. Pictures from Mexico City showed members of the federal police guarding the security secretary's building, and a newspaper seller in Mexico City displayed editions dominated by the story.
The charred wreckage of a bus that appears to have been set on fire by organised crime groups in Jalisco state was shown with a member of Mexico's National Guard standing nearby, underscoring the scale of the unrest.
Unclear in the provided context: the long-term trajectory of the violence beyond the immediate deployments and travel resumptions.
Closing: The death of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes has triggered a nationwide security crisis marked by multiple deaths, widespread arson and roadblocks, the deployment of thousands of troops and disrupted travel and public life in cities and tourist areas.
